Inhibiting deleterious control coupling in an enclosure having multiple HVAC regions

ABSTRACT

The current application is related to environmental-conditioning systems controlled by intelligent controllers and, in particular, to an intelligent-thermostat-controlled HVAC system that detects and ameliorates control coupling between intelligent thermostats. Control coupling can lead to inefficient HVAC operation. When control coupling is detected, a settings-adjustment directive is sent to at least one intelligent thermostat to adjust one or more intelligent-thermostat settings, including an HVAC-cycle-initiation delay parameter, swing parameter, and a parameter that indicates whether or not an intelligent thermostat should first obtain confirmation or permission before initiating an HVAC cycle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a national stage application of PCT/US12/00008 filed 3 Jan. 2012, which claims the benefit of U.S. Prov. Ser. No. 61/429,093 filed 31 Dec. 2010, U.S. Prov. Ser. No. 61/627,996 filed 21 Oct. 2011, and International Application PCT/US11/61437 filed 18 Nov. 2011, each of which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

The current application is related to environmental-conditioning systems controlled by intelligent controllers and, in particular, to an intelligent-thermostat-controlled HVAC system that detects and ameliorates control coupling between intelligent thermostats.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

While substantial effort and attention continues toward the development of newer and more sustainable energy supplies, the conservation of energy by increased energy efficiency remains crucial to the world's energy future. According to an October 2010 report from the U.S. Department of Energy, heating and cooling account for 56% of the energy use in a typical U.S. home, making it the largest energy expense for most homes. Along with improvements in the physical plant associated with home heating and cooling (e.g., improved insulation, higher efficiency furnaces), substantial increases in energy efficiency can be achieved by better control and regulation of home heating and cooling equipment. By activating heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment for judiciously selected time intervals and carefully chosen operating levels, substantial energy can be saved while at the same time keeping the living space suitably comfortable for its occupants.

Historically, however, most known HVAC thermostatic control systems have tended to fall into one of two opposing categories, neither of which is believed be optimal in most practical home environments. In a first category are many simple, non-programmable home thermostats, each typically consisting of a single mechanical or electrical dial for setting a desired temperature and a single HEAT-FAN-OFF-AC switch. While being easy to use for even the most unsophisticated occupant, any energy-saving control activity, such as adjusting the nighttime temperature or turning off all heating/cooling just before departing the home, must be performed manually by the user. As such, substantial energy-saving opportunities are often missed for all but the most vigilant users. Moreover, more advanced energy-saving settings are not provided, such as the ability to specify a custom temperature swing, i.e., the difference between the desired set temperature and actual current temperature (such as 1 to 3 degrees) required to trigger turn-on of the heating/cooling unit.

In a second category, on the other hand, are many programmable thermostats, which have become more prevalent in recent years in view of Energy Star (US) and TCO (Europe) standards, and which have progressed considerably in the number of different settings for an HVAC system that can be individually manipulated. Unfortunately, however, users are often intimidated by a dizzying array of switches and controls laid out in various configurations on the face of the thermostat or behind a panel door on the thermostat, and seldom adjust the manufacturer defaults to optimize their own energy usage. Thus, even though the installed programmable thermostats in a large number of homes are technologically capable of operating the HVAC equipment with energy-saving profiles, it is often the case that only the one-size-fits-all manufacturer default profiles are ever implemented in a large number of homes. Indeed, in an unfortunately large number of cases, a home user may permanently operate the unit in a “temporary” or “hold” mode, manually manipulating the displayed set temperature as if the unit were a simple, non-programmable thermostat.

At a more general level, because of the fact that human beings must inevitably be involved, there is a tension that arises between (i) the amount of energy-saving sophistication that can be offered by an HVAC control system, and (ii) the extent to which that energy-saving sophistication can be put to practical, everyday use in a large number of homes. Similar issues arise in the context of multi-unit apartment buildings, hotels, retail stores, office buildings, industrial buildings, and more generally any living space or work space having one or more HVAC systems. Other issues arise as would be apparent to one skilled in the art upon reading the present disclosure.

It is to be appreciated that although exemplary embodiments are presented herein for the particular context of HVAC system control, there are a wide variety of other resource usage contexts for which the embodiments are readily applicable including, but not limited to, water usage, air usage, the usage of other natural resources, and the usage of other (i.e., non-HVAC-related) forms of energy, as would be apparent to the skilled artisan in view of the present disclosure. Therefore, such application of the embodiments in such other resource usage contexts is not outside the scope of the present teachings.

Provided according to some embodiments is programmable device, such a thermostat, for controlling an HVAC system. The programmable device includes high-power consuming circuitry adapted and programmed to performWhile in an active state a plurality of high power activities including interfacing with a user, the high-power consuming circuitry using substantially less power while in an inactive state or sleep state. The device also includes low-power consuming circuitry adapted and programmed to perform a plurality of low power activities, including for example causing the high-power circuitry to transition from the inactive to active states; polling sensors such as temperature and occupancy sensors; and switching on or off an HVAC functions. The device also includes power stealing circuitry adapted to harvest power from an HVAC triggering circuit for turning on and off an HVAC system function; and a power storage medium, such as a rechargeable battery, adapted to store power harvested by the power stealing circuitry for use by at least the high-power consuming circuitry such that the high-power consuming circuitry can temporarily operate in an active state while using energy at a greater rate than can be safely harvested by the power stealing circuitry without inadvertently switching the HVAC function. Examples of the high power activities includes wireless communication; driving display circuitry; displaying a graphical information to a user; and performing calculations relating to learning.

According to some embodiments, the high-power consuming circuitry includes a microprocessor and is located on a head unit, and the low-power consuming circuitry includes a microcontroller and is located on a backplate.

The current application is related to environmental-conditioning systems controlled by intelligent controllers and, in particular, to an intelligent-thermostat-controlled HVAC system that detects and ameliorates control coupling between intelligent thermostats. Control coupling can lead to inefficient HVAC operation. When control coupling is detected, a settings-adjustment directive is sent to at least one intelligent thermostat to adjust one or more intelligent-thermostat settings, including an HVAC-cycle-initiation delay parameter, swing parameter, and a parameter that indicates whether or not an intelligent thermostat should first obtain confirmation or permission before initiating an HVAC cycle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of a versatile sensing and control unit (VSCU unit) according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 1B-1C illustrate the VSCU unit as it is being controlled by the hand of a user according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2A illustrates the VSCU unit as installed in a house having an HVAC system and a set of control wires extending therefrom;

FIG. 2B illustrates an exemplary diagram of the HVAC system of FIG. 2A;

FIGS. 3A-3K illustrate user temperature adjustment based on rotation of the outer ring along with an ensuing user interface display according to one embodiment;

FIG. 4 illustrates a data input functionality provided by the user interface of the VSCU unit according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate a similar data input functionality provided by the user interface of the VSCU unit for answering various questions during the set up interview;

FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate some of the many examples of user interface displays provided by the VSCU unit according to embodiments;

FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the VSCU unit and an HVAC-coupling wall dock according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 8A-B illustrates conceptual diagrams of HVAC-coupling wall docks, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 9 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the VSCU unit and an HVAC-coupling wall dock according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 10A-10C illustrate conceptual diagrams representative of advantageous scenarios in which multiple VSCU units are installed in a home or other space according to embodiments in which the home (or other space) does not have a wireless data network;

FIG. 10D illustrates cycle time plots for two HVAC systems in a two-zone home heating (or cooling) configuration, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 11 illustrates a conceptual diagram representative of an advantageous scenario in which one or more VSCU units are installed in a home that is equipped with WiFi wireless connectivity and access to the Internet;

FIG. 12 illustrates a conceptual diagram of a larger overall energy management network as enabled by the VSCU units and VSCU Efficiency Platform described herein;

FIGS. 13A-13B and FIGS. 14A-14B illustrate examples of remote graphical user interface displays presented to the user on their data appliance for managing their one or more VSCU units and/or otherwise interacting with their VSCU Efficiency Platform equipment or data according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 15A-15D illustrate time plots of a normal set point temperature schedule versus an actual operating set point plot corresponding to an exemplary operation of an “auto away/auto arrival” algorithm according to a preferred embodiment;

FIGS. 16A-16D illustrate one example of set point schedule modification based on occupancy patterns and/or corrective manual input patterns associated with repeated instances of “auto-away” mode and/or “auto-arrival” mode operation according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 17A-D illustrates a dynamic user interface for encouraging reduced energy use according to a preferred embodiment;

FIGS. 18A-B illustrate a thermostat having a user-friendly interface, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 18C illustrates a cross-sectional view of a shell portion of a frame of the thermostat of FIGS. 18A-B;

FIGS. 19A-19B illustrate exploded front and rear perspective views, respectively, of a thermostat with respect to its two main components, which are the head unit and the back plate;

FIGS. 20A-20B illustrate exploded front and rear perspective views, respectively, of the head unit with respect to its primary components;

FIGS. 21A-21B illustrate exploded front and rear perspective views, respectively, of the head unit frontal assembly with respect to its primary components;

FIGS. 22A-22B illustrate exploded front and rear perspective views, respectively, of the backplate unit with respect to its primary components;

FIG. 23 illustrates a perspective view of a partially assembled head unit front, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 24 illustrates a head-on view of the head unit circuit board, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 25 illustrates a rear view of the backplate circuit board, according to one embodiment;

FIGS. 26A-26C illustrate conceptual examples of the sleep-wake timing dynamic, at progressively larger time scales; according to one embodiment;

FIG. 27 illustrates a self-descriptive overview of the functional software, firmware, and/or programming architecture of the head unit microprocessor, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 28 illustrates a self-descriptive overview of the functional software, firmware, and/or programming architecture of the backplate microcontroller, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 29 illustrates a view of the wiring terminals as presented to the user when the backplate is exposed; according to one embodiment;

FIGS. 30A-30B illustrate restricting user establishment of a new scheduled set point that is within a predetermined time separation, according to one embodiment;

FIGS. 31A-31D illustrate time to temperature display to a user for one implementation;

FIG. 32 illustrates an example of a preferred thermostat readout when a second stage heating facility is invoked, according to one embodiment;

FIGS. 33A-33C illustrate actuating a second stage heat facility during a single stage heating cycle using time to temperature (T2T) information according to a preferred embodiment; and

FIG. 34 illustrates a user interface screen presented to a user by a thermostat in relation to a “selectably automated” testing for heat pump polarity according to a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 35 illustrates a multi-region building in which thermostats that each controls a different region may become control coupled.

FIG. 36 lists representative variables and parameters associated with thermostat operation within the multi-region building shown in FIG. 35.

FIGS. 37-38C illustrate a commonly observed operation pattern for two control-coupled thermostats.

FIGS. 39A-39C illustrate reasons underlying an observed dependence of HVAC heating and/or cooling efficiency on HVAC-cycling frequency.

FIGS. 40A-40B illustrate dependence of HVAC efficiency on HVAC-cycling frequency.

FIGS. 41A-B illustrate a general computational model for a number of intelligent thermostats and a monitor entity that together implement a control-coupled-thermostat decoupling method.

FIG. 42 illustrates certain variables and data involved in the control-coupled-thermostat decoupling method illustrated in FIGS. 41A-49.

FIG. 43 provides a control-flow diagram for a monitor cycle-report handler invoked when the monitor receives a report message from a thermostat, queued for transmission in step 4110 of FIG. 41A, to report an HVAC-power-on event or an HVAC-power-off event.

FIG. 44 provides a control-flow diagram for the thermostat-setting-adjustment routine called in step 4320 of FIG. 43.

FIG. 45 provides a control-flow routine for a thermostat event handler that handles reception of a settings-update message, received by the thermostat from the monitor, sent by the monitor in step 4418 of the thermostat-setting-adjustment routine shown in FIG. 44.

FIG. 46 shows a temperature-excursion event handler that handles a detected excursion of the internal temperature of a region, sensed by a thermostat, to a temperature outside of the range of temperatures from the set point minus the swing to the set point.

FIG. 47 provides a control-flow diagram for the cycle-on routine called in step 4608 of the temperature-excursion event handler shown in FIG. 46.

FIG. 48 provides a control-flow diagram for a thermostat event handler that handles reception of a cycle-on confirmation message from a monitor.

FIG. 49 provides a control-flow diagram for an intelligent-thermostat event-handling routine that handles expiration of a delay timer set in step 4716 of the cycle-on routine shown in FIG. 47.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter of this patent specification relates to the subject matter of the following commonly assigned applications, each of which is incorporated by reference herein: U.S. Ser. No. 12/881,430 filed Sep. 14, 2010; U.S. Ser. No. 12/881,463 filed Sep. 14, 2010; U.S. Prov. Ser. No. 61/415,771 filed Nov. 19, 2010; U.S. Prov. Ser. No. 61/429,093 filed Dec. 31, 2010; U.S. Ser. No. 12/984,602 filed Jan. 4, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 12/987,257 filed Jan. 10, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 13/033,573 filed Feb. 23, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 29/386,021, filed Feb. 23, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 13/034,666 filed Feb. 24, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 13/034,674 filed Feb. 24, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 13/034,678 filed Feb. 24, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 13/038,191 filed Mar. 1, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 13/038,206 filed Mar. 1, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 29/399,609 filed Aug. 16, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 29/399,614 filed Aug. 16, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 29/399,617 filed Aug. 16, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 29/399,618 filed Aug. 16, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 29/399,621 filed Aug. 16, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 29/399,623 filed Aug. 16, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 29/399,625 filed Aug. 16, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 29/399,627 filed Aug. 16, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 29/399,630 filed Aug. 16, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 29/399,632 filed Aug. 16, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 29/399,633 filed Aug. 16, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 29/399,636 filed Aug. 16, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 29/399,637 filed Aug. 16, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 13/199,108, filed Aug. 17, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 13/267,871 filed Oct. 6, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 13/267,877 filed Oct. 6, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 13/269,501, filed Oct. 7, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 29/404,096 filed Oct. 14, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 29/404,097 filed Oct. 14, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 29/404,098 filed Oct. 14, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 29/404,099 filed Oct. 14, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 29/404,101 filed Oct. 14, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 29/404,103 filed Oct. 14, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 29/404,104 filed Oct. 14, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 29/404,105 filed Oct. 14, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 13/275,307 filed Oct. 17, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 13/275,311 filed Oct. 17, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 13/317,423 filed Oct. 17, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 13/279,151 filed Oct. 21, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 13/317,557 filed Oct. 21, 2011; U.S. Prov. Ser. No. 61/627,996 filed Oct. 21, 2011; PCT/US11/61339 filed Nov. 18, 2011; PCT/US11/61344 filed Nov. 18, 2011; PCT/US11/61365 filed Nov. 18, 2011; PCT/US11/61379 filed Nov. 18, 2011; PCT/US11/61391 filed Nov. 18, 2011; PCT/US11/61479 filed Nov. 18, 2011; PCT/US11/61457 filed Nov. 18, 2011; and PCT/US11/61470 filed Nov. 18, 2011; PCT/US11/61339 filed Nov. 18, 2011; PCT/US11/61491 filed Nov. 18, 2011; PCT/US11/61437 filed Nov. 18, 2011; and PCT/US11/61503 filed Nov. 18, 2011. The above-referenced patent applications are collectively referenced herein as “the commonly assigned incorporated applications.”

Provided according to one or more embodiments are systems, methods, computer program products, and related business methods for controlling one or more HVAC systems based on one or more versatile sensing and control units (VSCU units), each VSCU unit being configured and adapted to provide sophisticated, customized, energy-saving HVAC control functionality while at the same time being visually appealing, non-intimidating, elegant to behold, and delightfully easy to use. Each VSCU unit is advantageously provided with a selectively layered functionality, such that unsophisticated users are only exposed to a simple user interface, but such that advanced users can access and manipulate many different energy-saving and energy tracking capabilities. Importantly, even for the case of unsophisticated users who are only exposed to the simple user interface, the VSCU unit provides advanced energy-saving functionality that runs in the background, the VSCU unit quietly using multi-sensor technology to “learn” about the home's heating and cooling environment and optimizing the energy-saving settings accordingly.

The VSCU unit also “learns” about the users themselves, beginning with a congenial “setup interview” in which the user answers a few simple questions, and then continuing over time using multi-sensor technology to detect user occupancy patterns (e.g., what times of day they are home and away) and by tracking the way the user controls the set temperature on the dial over time. The multi-sensor technology is advantageously hidden away inside the VSCU unit itself, thus avoiding the hassle, complexity, and intimidation factors associated with multiple external sensor-node units. On an ongoing basis, the VSCU unit processes the learned and sensed information according to one or more advanced control algorithms, and then automatically adjusts its environmental control settings to optimize energy usage while at the same time maintaining the living space at optimal levels according to the learned occupancy patterns and comfort preferences of the user. Even further, the VSCU unit is programmed to promote energy-saving behavior in the users themselves by virtue of displaying, at judiciously selected times on its visually appealing user interface, information that encourages reduced energy usage, such as historical energy cost performance, forecasted energy costs, and even fun game-style displays of congratulations and encouragement.

Advantageously, the selectively layered functionality of the VSCU unit allows it to be effective for a variety of different technological circumstances in home and business environments, thereby making the same VSCU unit readily saleable to a wide variety of customers. For simple environments having no wireless home network or internet connectivity, the VSCU unit operates effectively in a standalone mode, being capable of learning and adapting to its environment based on multi-sensor technology and user input, and optimizing HVAC settings accordingly. However, for environments that do indeed have home network or internet connectivity, the VSCU unit operates effectively in a network-connected mode to offer a rich variety of additional capabilities.

When the VSCU unit is connected to the internet via a home network, such as through IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi) connectivity, additional capabilities provided according to one or more embodiments include, but are not limited to: providing real time or aggregated home energy performance data to a utility company, VSCU data service provider, VSCU units in other homes, or other data destinations; receiving real time or aggregated home energy performance data from a utility company, VSCU data service provider, VSCU units in other homes, or other data sources; receiving new energy control algorithms or other software/firmware upgrades from one or more VSCU data service providers or other sources; receiving current and forecasted weather information for inclusion in energy-saving control algorithm processing; receiving user control commands from the user's computer, network-connected television, smart phone, or other stationary or portable data communication appliance (hereinafter collectively referenced as the user's “digital appliance”); providing an interactive user interface to the user through their digital appliance; receiving control commands and information from an external energy management advisor, such as a subscription-based service aimed at leveraging collected information from multiple sources to generate the best possible energy-saving control commands or profiles for their subscribers; receiving control commands and information from an external energy management authority, such as a utility company to whom limited authority has been voluntarily given to control the VSCU in exchange for rebates or other cost incentives (e.g., for energy emergencies, “spare the air” days, etc.); providing alarms, alerts, or other information to the user on their digital appliance (and/or a user designee such as a home repair service) based on VSCU-sensed HVAC-related events (e.g., the house is not heating up or cooling down as expected); providing alarms, alerts, or other information to the user on their digital appliance (and/or a user designee such as a home security service or the local police department) based on VSCU-sensed non-HVAC related events (e.g., an intruder alert as sensed by the VSCU's multi-sensor technology); and a variety of other useful functions enabled by network connectivity as disclosed in one or more of the examples provided further hereinbelow.

It is to be appreciated that while one or more embodiments is detailed herein for the context of a residential home, such as a single-family house, the scope of the present teachings is not so limited, the present teachings being likewise applicable, without limitation, to duplexes, townhomes, multi-unit apartment buildings, hotels, retail stores, office buildings, industrial buildings, and more generally any living space or work space having one or more HVAC systems. It is to be further appreciated that while the terms user, customer, installer, homeowner, occupant, guest, tenant, landlord, repair person, and the like may be used to refer to the person or persons who are interacting with the VSCU unit or other device or user interface in the context of some particularly advantageous situations described herein, these references are by no means to be considered as limiting the scope of the present teachings with respect to the person or persons who are performing such actions. Thus, for example, the terms user, customer, purchaser, installer, subscriber, and homeowner may often refer to the same person in the case of a single-family residential dwelling, because the head of the household is often the person who makes the purchasing decision, buys the unit, and installs and configures the unit, and is also one of the users of the unit and is a customer of the utility company and/or VSCU data service provider. However, in other scenarios, such as a landlord-tenant environment, the customer may be the landlord with respect to purchasing the unit, the installer may be a local apartment supervisor, a first user may be the tenant, and a second user may again be the landlord with respect to remote control functionality. Importantly, while the identity of the person performing the action may be germane to a particular advantage provided by one or more of the embodiments—for example, the password-protected temperature governance functionality described further herein may be particularly advantageous where the landlord holds the sole password and can prevent energy waste by the tenant—such identity should not be construed in the descriptions that follow as necessarily limiting the scope of the present teachings to those particular individuals having those particular identities.

As used herein, “set point” or “temperature set point” refers to a target temperature setting of a temperature control system, such as one or more of the VSCU units described herein, as set by a user or automatically according to a schedule. As would be readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, many of the disclosed thermostatic functionalities described hereinbelow apply, in counterpart application, to both the heating and cooling contexts, with the only different being in the particular set points and directions of temperature movement. To avoid unnecessary repetition, some examples of the embodiments may be presented herein in only one of these contexts, without mentioning the other. Therefore, where a particular embodiment or example is set forth hereinbelow in the context of home heating, the scope of the present teachings is likewise applicable to the counterpart context of home cooling, and vice versa, to the extent such counterpart application would be logically consistent with the disclosed principles as adjudged by the skilled artisan.

FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of a versatile sensing and control unit (VSCU unit) 100 according to an embodiment. Unlike so many prior art thermostats, the VSCU unit 100 preferably has a sleek, elegant appearance that does not detract from home decoration, and indeed can serve as a visually pleasing centerpiece for the immediate location in which it is installed. The VSCU unit 100 comprises a main body 108 that is preferably circular with a diameter of about 8 cm, and that has a visually pleasing outer finish, such as a satin nickel or chrome finish. Separated from the main body 108 by a small peripheral gap 110 is a cap-like structure comprising a rotatable outer ring 106, a sensor ring 104, and a circular display monitor 102. The outer ring 106 preferably has an outer finish identical to that of the main body 108, while the sensor ring 104 and circular display monitor 102 have a common circular glass (or plastic) outer covering that is gently arced in an outward direction and that provides a sleek yet solid and durable-looking overall appearance. The sensor ring 104 contains any of a wide variety of sensors including, without limitation, infrared sensors, visible-light sensors, and acoustic sensors. Preferably, the glass (or plastic) that covers the sensor ring 104 is smoked or mirrored such that the sensors themselves are not visible to the user. An air venting functionality is preferably provided, such as by virtue of the peripheral gap 110, which allows the ambient air to be sensed by the internal sensors without the need for visually unattractive “gills” or grill-like vents.

FIGS. 1B-1C illustrate the VSCU unit 100 as it is being controlled by the hand of a user according to an embodiment. In one embodiment, for the combined purposes of inspiring user confidence and further promoting visual and functional elegance, the VSCU unit 100 is controlled by only two types of user input, the first being a rotation of the outer ring 106 (FIG. 1B), and the second being an inward push on the outer ring 106 (FIG. 1C) until an audible and/or tactile “click” occurs. For one embodiment, the inward push of FIG. 1C only causes the outer ring 106 to move forward, while in another embodiment the entire cap-like structure, including both the outer ring 106 and the glass covering of the sensor ring 104 and circular display monitor 102, move inwardly together when pushed. Preferably, the sensor ring 104, the circular display monitor 102, and their common glass covering do not rotate with outer ring 106.

By virtue of user rotation of the outer ring 106 (referenced hereafter as a “ring rotation”) and the inward pushing of the outer ring 106 (referenced hereinafter as an “inward click”) responsive to intuitive and easy-to-read prompts on the circular display monitor 102, the VSCU unit 100 is advantageously capable of receiving all necessary information from the user for basic setup and operation. Preferably, the outer ring 106 is mechanically mounted in a manner that provides a smooth yet viscous feel to the user, for further promoting an overall feeling of elegance while also reducing spurious or unwanted rotational inputs. For one embodiment, the VSCU unit 100 recognizes three fundamental user inputs by virtue of the ring rotation and inward click: (1) ring rotate left, (2) ring rotate right, and (3) inward click. For other embodiments, more complex fundamental user inputs can be recognized, such as “double-click” or “triple-click” inward presses, and such as speed-sensitive or acceleration-sensitive rotational inputs (e.g., a very large and fast leftward rotation specifies an “Away” occupancy state, while a very large and fast rightward rotation specifies an “Occupied” occupancy state).

Although the scope of the present teachings is not so limited, it is preferred that there not be provided a discrete mechanical HEAT-COOL toggle switch, or HEAT-OFF-COOL selection switch, or HEAT-FAN-OFF-COOL switch anywhere on the VSCU unit 100, this omission contributing to the overall visual simplicity and elegance of the VSCU unit 100 while also facilitating the provision of advanced control abilities that would otherwise not be permitted by the existence of such a switch. It is further highly preferred that there be no electrical proxy for such a discrete mechanical switch (e.g., an electrical push button or electrical limit switch directly driving a mechanical relay). Instead, it is preferred that the switching between these settings be performed under computerized control of the VSCU unit 100 responsive to its multi-sensor readings, its programming (optionally in conjunction with externally provided commands/data provided over a data network), and/or the above-described “ring rotation” and “inward click” user inputs.

The VSCU unit 100 comprises physical hardware and firmware configurations, along with hardware, firmware, and software programming that is capable of carrying out the functionalities described in the instant disclosure. In view of the instant disclosure, a person skilled in the art would be able to realize the physical hardware and firmware configurations and the hardware, firmware, and software programming that embody the physical and functional features described herein without undue experimentation using publicly available hardware and firmware components and known programming tools and development platforms. Similar comments apply to described devices and functionalities extrinsic to the VSCU unit 100, such as devices and programs used in remote data storage and data processing centers that receive data communications from and/or that provide data communications to the VSCU unit 100. By way of example, references hereinbelow to one or more preinstalled databases inside the VSCU unit 100 that are keyed to different ZIP codes can be carried out using flash memory technology similar to that used in global positioning based navigation devices. By way of further example, references hereinbelow to machine learning and mathematical optimization algorithms, as carried out respectively by the VSCU unit 100 in relation to home occupancy prediction and set point optimization, for example, can be carried out using one or more known technologies, models, and/or mathematical strategies including, but not limited to, artificial neural networks, Bayesian networks, genetic programming, inductive logic programming, support vector machines, decision tree learning, clustering analysis, dynamic programming, stochastic optimization, linear regression, quadratic regression, binomial regression, logistic regression, simulated annealing, and other learning, forecasting, and optimization techniques.

FIG. 2A illustrates the VSCU unit 100 as installed in a house 201 having an HVAC system 299 and a set of control wires 298 extending therefrom. The VSCU unit 100 is, of course, extremely well suited for installation by contractors in new home construction and/or in the context of complete HVAC system replacement. However, one alternative key business opportunity leveraged according to one embodiment is the marketing and retailing of the VSCU unit 100 as a replacement thermostat in an existing home, wherein the customer (and/or an HVAC professional) disconnects their old thermostat from the existing wires 298 and substitutes in the VSCU unit 100.

In either case, the VSCU unit 100 can advantageously serve as an “inertial wedge” for inserting an entire energy-saving technology platform into the home. Simply stated, because most homeowners understand and accept the need for home to have a thermostat, even the most curmudgeonly and techno-phobic homeowners will readily accept the simple, non-intimidating, and easy-to-use VSCU unit 100 into their homes. Once in the home, of course, the VSCU unit 100 will advantageously begin saving energy for a sustainable planet and saving money for the homeowner, including the curmudgeons. Additionally, however, as homeowners “warm up” to the VSCU unit 100 platform and begin to further appreciate its delightful elegance and seamless operation, they will be more inclined to take advantage of its advanced features, and they will furthermore be more open and willing to embrace a variety of compatible follow-on products and services as are described further hereinbelow. This is an advantageous win-win situation on many fronts, because the planet is benefitting from the propagation of energy-efficient technology, while at the same time the manufacturer of the VSCU unit and/or their authorized business partners can further expand their business revenues and prospects. For clarity of disclosure, the term “VSCU Efficiency Platform” refers herein to products and services that are technologically compatible with the VSCU unit 100 and/or with devices and programs that support the operation of the VSCU unit 100.

FIG. 2B illustrates an exemplary diagram of the HVAC system 299 of FIG. 2A. HVAC system 299 provides heating, cooling, ventilation, and/or air handling for an enclosure, such as the single-family home 201 depicted in FIG. 2A. The HVAC system 299 depicts a forced air type heating system, although according to other embodiments, other types of systems could be used. In heating, heating coils or elements 242 within air handler 240 provide a source of heat using electricity or gas via line 236. Cool air is drawn from the enclosure via return air duct 246 through filter 270 using fan 238 and is heated by the heating coils or elements 242. The heated air flows back into the enclosure at one or more locations through a supply air duct system 252 and supply air grills such as grill 250. In cooling, an outside compressor 230 passes a gas such as Freon through a set of heat exchanger coils to cool the gas. The gas then goes via line 232 to the cooling coils 234 in the air handlers 240 where it expands, cools and cools the air being circulated through the enclosure via fan 238. According to some embodiments a humidifier 262 is also provided which moistens the air using water provided by a water line 264. Although not shown in FIG. 2B, according to some embodiments the HVAC system for the enclosure has other known components such as dedicated outside vents to pass air to and from the outside, one or more dampers to control airflow within the duct systems, an emergency heating unit, and a dehumidifier. The HVAC system is selectively actuated via control electronics 212 that communicate with the VSCU 100 over control wires 298.

FIGS. 3A-3K illustrate user temperature adjustment based on rotation of the outer ring 106 along with an ensuing user interface display according to one embodiment. For one embodiment, prior to the time depicted in FIG. 3A in which the user has walked up to the VSCU unit 100, the VSCU unit 100 has set the circular display monitor 102 to be entirely blank (“dark”), which corresponds to a state of inactivity when no person has come near the unit. As the user walks up to the display, their presence is detected by one or more sensors in the VSCU unit 100 at which point the circular display monitor 102 is automatically turned on. When this happens, as illustrated in FIG. 3A, the circular display monitor 102 displays the current set point in a large font at a center readout 304. Also displayed is a set point icon 302 disposed along a periphery of the circular display monitor 102 at a location that is spatially representative the current set point. Although it is purely electronic, the set point icon 302 is reminiscent of older mechanical thermostat dials, and advantageously imparts a feeling of familiarity for many users as well as a sense of tangible control.

Notably, the example of FIG. 3A assumes a scenario for which the actual current temperature of 68 is equal to the set point temperature of 68 when the user has walked up to the VSCU unit 100. For a case in which the user walks up to the VSCU unit 100 when the actual current temperature is different than the set point temperature, the display would also include an actual temperature readout and a trailing icon, which are described further below in the context of FIGS. 3B-3K.

Referring now to FIG. 3B, as the user turns the outer ring 106 clockwise, the increasing value of the set point temperature is instantaneously provided at the center readout 304, and the set point icon 302 moves in a clockwise direction around the periphery of the circular display monitor 102 to a location representative of the increasing set point. Whenever the actual current temperature is different than the set point temperature, an actual temperature readout 306 is provided in relatively small digits along the periphery of the circular a location spatially representative the actual current temperature. Further provided is a trailing icon 308, which could alternatively be termed a tail icon or difference-indicating, that extends between the location of the actual temperature readout 306 and the set point icon 302. Further provided is a time-to-temperature readout 310 that is indicative of a prediction, as computed by the VSCU unit 100, of the time interval required for the HVAC system to bring the temperature from the actual current temperature to the set point temperature.

FIGS. 3C-3K illustrate views of the circular display monitor 102 at exemplary instants in time after the user set point change that was completed in FIG. 3B (assuming, of course, that the circular display monitor 102 has remained active, such as during a preset post-activity time period, responsive to the continued proximity of the user, or responsive the detected proximity of another occupant). Thus, at FIG. 3C, the current actual temperature is about halfway up from the old set point to the new set point, and in FIG. 3D the current actual temperature is almost at the set point temperature. As illustrated in FIG. 3E, both the trailing icon 308 and the actual temperature readout 306 disappear when the current actual temperature reaches the set point temperature and the heating system is turned off. Then, as typically happens in home heating situations, the actual temperature begins to sag (FIG. 3F) until the permissible temperature swing is reached (which is 2 degrees in this example, see FIG. 3G), at which point the heating system is again turned on and the temperature rises to the set point (FIGS. 3H-3I) and the heating system is turned off. The current actual temperature then begins to sag again (FIGS. 3J-3K), and the cycle continues. Advantageously, by virtue of the user interface functionality of FIGS. 3A-3K including the time-to-temperature readout 310, the user is provided with a fast, intuitive, visually pleasing overview of system operation, as well as a quick indication of how much longer the heating system (or cooling system in counterpart embodiments) will remain turned on. It is to be appreciated that the use of 2 degrees as the permissible temperature swing in FIGS. 3C-3K is only for purposes of example, and that different amounts of permissible temperature swing may be applicable at different times according to the particular automated control algorithms, defaults, user settings, user overrides, etc. that may then be in application at those times.

For one embodiment, the VSCU unit 100 is designed to be entirely silent unless a user has walked up and begun controlling the unit. Advantageously, there are no clicking-type annoyances when the heating or cooling units are activated as with conventional prior art thermostats. Optionally, the VSCU unit 100 can be configured to synthesize artificial audible clicks, such as can be output through a piezoelectric speaker, to provide “tick” feedback as the user dials through different temperature settings.

FIG. 4 illustrates a data input functionality provided by the user interface of the VSCU unit 100 according to an embodiment, for a particular non-limiting example in which the user is asked, during a congenial setup interview (which can occur at initial VSCU unit installation or at any subsequent time that the user may request), to enter their ZIP code. Responsive to a display of digits 0-9 distributed around a periphery of the circular display monitor 102 along with a selection icon 402, the user turns the outer ring 106 to move the selection icon 402 to the appropriate digit, and then provides an inward click command to enter that digit.

For one embodiment, the VSCU unit 100 is programmed to provide a software lockout functionality, wherein a person is required to enter a password or combination before the VSCU unit 100 will accept their control inputs. The user interface for password request and entry can be similar to that shown in FIG. 4. The software lockout functionality can be highly useful, for example, for Mom and Dad in preventing their teenager from making unwanted changes to the set temperature, for various landlord-tenant scenarios, and in a variety of other situations.

FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate a similar data input functionality provided by the user interface of the VSCU unit 100 for answering various questions during the set up interview. The user rotates the outer ring 106 until the desired answer is highlighted, and then provides an inward click command to enter that answer.

FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate some of the many examples of user interface displays provided by the VSCU unit 100 according to embodiments directed to influencing energy-conscious behavior on the part of the user. At judiciously selected times (for example, on the same day that the monthly utility bill is e-mailed to the homeowner), or upon user request, or at other times including random points in time, the VSCU unit 100 displays information on its visually appealing user interface that encourages reduced energy usage. In one example shown in FIG. 6A, the user is shown a message of congratulations regarding a particular energy-saving (and therefore money-saving) accomplishment they have achieved for their household. It has been found particularly effective to include pictures or symbols, such as leaf icons 602, that evoke pleasant feelings or emotions in the user for providing positive reinforcement of energy-saving behavior. Although not believed to be as advantageous as positive reinforcement, it is within the scope of the present teachings for the VSCU unit 100 to show messages of negative reinforcement as well, such as by displaying unpleasant pictures of smokestacks churning out black smoke to depict energy-hogging performance.

FIG. 6B illustrates another example of an energy performance display that can influence user energy-saving behavior, comprising a display of the household's recent energy use on a daily basis (or weekly, monthly, etc.) and providing a positive-feedback leaf icon 602 for days of relatively low energy usage. Notably, messages such as those of FIG. 6A can be displayed for customers who are not Wi-Fi enabled, based on the known cycle times and durations of the home HVAC equipment as tracked by the VSCU unit 100. Indeed, although a bit more involved, messages such as those of FIG. 6A could also be displayed for customers who are not Wi-Fi enabled, based on the known HVAC cycle times and durations combined with pre-programmed estimates of energy costs for their ZIP code and/or user-entered historical energy cost information from their past utility bills as may be provided, for example, during the congenial setup interview.

For another example shown in FIG. 6C, the user is shown information about their energy performance status or progress relative to a population of other VSCU-equipped owners who are similarly situated from an energy usage perspective. For this type of display, and similar displays in which data from other homes and/or central databases is required, it is required that the VSCU unit 100 be network-enabled. It has been found particularly effective to provide competitive or game-style information to the user as an additional means to influence their energy-saving behavior. As illustrated in FIG. 6B, positive-feedback leaf icons 602 can be added to the display if the user's competitive results are positive. Optionally, the leaf icons 602 can be associated with a frequent flyer miles-type point-collection scheme or carbon credit-type business method, as administered for example by an external VSCU data service provider (see FIG. 12, infra) such there is a tangible, fiscal reward that is also associated with the emotional reward.

For some embodiments, the VSCU unit 100 is manufactured and sold as a single, monolithic structure containing all of the required electrical and mechanical connections on the back of the unit. For some embodiments, the VSCU 100 is manufactured and/or sold in different versions or packaging groups depending on the particular capabilities of the manufacturer(s) and the particular needs of the customer. For example, the VSCU unit 100 is provided in some embodiments as the principal component of a two-part combination consisting of the VSCU 100 and one of a variety of dedicated docking devices, as described further hereinbelow.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the VSCU unit 100 and an HVAC-coupling wall dock 702 according to an embodiment. For first-time customers who are going to be replacing their old thermostat, the VSCU unit 100 is provided in combination with HVAC-coupling wall dock 702. The HVAC-coupling wall dock 702 comprises mechanical hardware for attaching to the wall and electrical terminals for connecting to the HVAC wiring 298 that will be extending out of the wall in a disconnected state when the old thermostat is removed. The HVAC-coupling wall dock 702 is configured with an electrical connector 704 that mates to a counterpart electrical connector 705 in the VSCU 100.

For the initial installation process, the customer (or their handyman, or an HVAC professional, etc.) first installs the HVAC-coupling wall dock 702, including all of the necessary mechanical connections to the wall and HVAC wiring connections to the HVAC wiring 298. Once the HVAC-coupling wall dock 702 is installed, which represents the “hard work” of the installation process, the next task is relatively easy, which is simply to slide the VSCU unit 100 thereover to mate the electrical connectors 704/705. Preferably, the components are configured such that the HVAC-connecting wall dock 702 is entirely hidden underneath and inside the VSCU unit 100, such that only the visually appealing VSCU unit 100 is visible.

For one embodiment, the HVAC-connecting wall dock 702 is a relatively “bare bones” device having the sole essential function of facilitating electrical connectivity between the HVAC wiring 298 and the VSCU unit 100. For another embodiment, the HVAC-coupling wall dock 702 is equipped to perform and/or facilitate, in either a duplicative sense and/or a primary sense without limitation, one or more of the functionalities attributed to the VSCU unit 100 in the instant disclosure, using a set of electrical, mechanical, and/or electromechanical components 706. One particularly useful functionality is for the components 706 to include power-extraction circuitry for judiciously extracting usable power from the HVAC wiring 298, at least one of which will be carrying a 24-volt AC signals in accordance with common HVAC wiring practice. The power-extraction circuitry converts the 24-volt AC signal into DC power (such as at 5 VDC, 3.3 VDC, etc.) that is usable by the processing circuitry and display components of the main unit 701

The division and/or duplication of functionality between the VSCU unit 100 and the HVAC-coupling wall dock 702 can be provided in many different ways without departing from the scope of the present teachings. For another embodiment, the components 706 of the HVAC-coupling wall dock 702 can include one or more sensing devices, such as an acoustic sensor, for complementing the sensors provided on the sensor ring 104 of the VSCU unit 100. For another embodiment, the components 706 can include wireless communication circuitry compatible with one or more wireless communication protocols, such as the Wi-Fi and/or ZigBee protocols. For another embodiment, the components 706 can include external AC or DC power connectors. For another embodiment, the components 706 can include wired data communications jacks, such as an RJ45 Ethernet jack, an RJ11 telephone jack, or a USB connector.

The docking capability of the VSCU unit 100 according to the embodiment of FIG. 7 provides many advantages and opportunities in both a technology sense and a business sense. Because the VSCU unit 100 can be easily removed and replaced by even the most non-technically-savvy customer, many upgrading and upselling opportunities are provided. For example, many different versions of the VSCU unit 100 can be separately sold, the different versions having different colors, styles, themes, and so forth. Upgrading to a new VSCU unit 100 having more advanced capabilities becomes a very easy task, and so the customer will be readily able to take advantage of the newest display technology, sensor technology, more memory, and so forth as the technology improves over time.

Provided in accordance with one or more embodiments related to the docking capability shown in FIG. 7 are further devices and features that advantageously promote expandability of the number of sensing and control nodes that can be provided throughout the home. For one embodiment, a tabletop docking station (not shown) is provided that is capable of docking to a second instance of the VSCU unit 100, which is termed herein an auxiliary VSCU unit (not shown). The tabletop docking station and the auxiliary VSCU unit can be separately purchased by the user, either at the same time they purchase their original VSCU unit 100, or at a later time. The tabletop docking station is similar in functionality to the HVAC-coupling wall dock 702, except that it does not require connection to the HVAC wiring 298 and is conveniently powered by a standard wall outlet. For another embodiment, instead of being identical to the original VSCU unit 100, the auxiliary VSCU unit can be a differently labeled and/or differently abled version thereof.

As used herein, the term “primary VSCU unit” refers to one that is electrically connected to actuate an HVAC system in whole or in part, which would necessarily include the first VSCU unit purchased for any home, while the term “auxiliary VSCU unit” refers to one or more additional VSCU units not electrically connected to actuate an HVAC system in whole or in part. An auxiliary VSCU unit, when docked, will automatically detect the primary VSCU unit and will automatically be detected by the primary VSCU unit, such as by Wi-Fi or ZigBee wireless communication. Although the primary VSCU unit will remain the sole provider of electrical actuation signals to the HVAC system, the two VSCU units will otherwise cooperate in unison for improved control heating and cooling control functionality, such improvement being enabled by virtue of the added multi-sensing functionality provided by the auxiliary VSCU unit, as well as by virtue of the additional processing power provided to accommodate more powerful and precise control algorithms. Because the auxiliary VSCU unit can accept user control inputs just like the primary VSCU unit, user convenience is also enhanced. Thus, for example, where the tabletop docking station and the auxiliary VSCU unit are placed on a nightstand next to the user's bed, the user is not required to get up and walk to the location of the primary VSCU unit if they wish to manipulate the temperature set point, view their energy usage, or otherwise interact with the system.

A variety of different VSCU-compatible docking stations are within the scope of the present teachings. For example, in another embodiment there is provided an auxiliary wall dock (not shown) that allows an auxiliary VSCU unit to be mounted on a wall. The auxiliary wall dock is similar in functionality to the tabletop docking station in that it does not provide HVAC wiring connections, but does serve as a physical mounting point and provides electrical power derived from a standard wall outlet.

For one embodiment, all VSCU units sold by the manufacturer are identical in their core functionality, each being able to serve as either a primary VSCU unit or auxiliary VSCU unit as the case requires, although the different VSCU units may have different colors, ornamental designs, memory capacities, and so forth. For this embodiment, the user is advantageously able, if they desire, to interchange the positions of their VSCU units by simple removal of each one from its existing docking station and placement into a different docking station. Among other advantages, there is an environmentally, technically, and commercially appealing ability for the customer to upgrade to the newest, latest VSCU designs and technologies without the need to throw away the existing VSCU unit. For example, a customer with a single VSCU unit (which is necessarily serving as a primary VSCU unit) may be getting tired of its color or its TFT display, and may be attracted to a newly released VSCU unit with a different color and a sleek new OLED display. For this case, in addition to buying the newly released VSCU, the customer can buy a tabletop docking station to put on their nightstand. The customer can then insert their new VSCU unit into the existing HVAC-coupling wall dock, and then take their old VSCU unit and insert it into the tabletop docking station. Advantageously, in addition to avoiding the wastefulness of discarding the old VSCU unit, there is now a new auxiliary VSCU unit at the bedside that not only provides increased comfort and convenience, but that also promotes increased energy efficiency by virtue of the additional multi-sensor information and processing power provided.

For other embodiments, different VSCU units sold by the manufacturer can have different functionalities in terms of their ability to serve as primary versus auxiliary VSCU units. This may be advantageous from a pricing perspective, since the hardware cost of an auxiliary-only VSCU unit may be substantially less than that of a dual-capability primary/auxiliary VSCU unit. In other embodiments there is provided distinct docking station capability for primary versus auxiliary VSCU units, with primary VSCU units using one kind of docking connection system and auxiliary VSCU units using a different kind of docking connection system. In still other embodiments there is provided the docking station capability of FIG. 7 for primary VSCU units, but no docking station capability for auxiliary VSCU units, wherein auxiliary VSCU units are simply provided in monolithic form as dedicated auxiliary tabletop VSCU units, dedicated auxiliary wall-mounted VSCU units, and so forth. One advantage of providing an auxiliary VSCU unit, such as a tabletop VSCU unit, without a docking functionality would be its simplicity and non-intimidating nature for users, since the user would simply be required to place it on a table (their nightstand, for example) and just plug it in, just as easily as they would a clock radio.

In still other embodiments, all VSCU units are provided as non-docking types, but are interchangeable in their abilities as primary and auxiliary VSCU units. In still other embodiments, all VSCU units are provided as non-docking types and are non-interchangeable in their primary versus auxiliary abilities, that is, there is a first set of VSCU units that can only serve as primary VSCU units and a second set of VSCU units that can only serve as auxiliary VSCU units. For embodiments in which primary VSCU units are provided as non-docking types, their physical architecture may still be separable into two components for the purpose of streamlining the installation process, with one component being similar to the HVAC-coupling wall dock 702 of FIG. 7 and the second component being the main unit as shown in FIG. 7, except that the assembly is not intended for docking-style user separability after installation is complete. For convenience of description hereinbelow and so as not to unnecessarily limit the scope of the present teachings, the classification of one or more described VSCU units as being of (i) a non-docking type versus a docking type, and/or (ii) a primary type versus an auxiliary type, may not be specified, in which case VSCU units of any of these classifications may be used with such embodiments, or in which case such classification will readily inferable by the skilled artisan from the context of the description.

FIG. 8A illustrates a conceptual diagram of an HVAC-coupling wall dock 702′ with particular reference to a set of input wiring ports 851 thereof, and which represents a first version of the HVAC-coupling wall dock 702 of FIG. 7 that is manufactured and sold in a “simple” or “DIY (do-it-yourself)” product package in conjunction with the VSCU unit 100. The input wiring ports 851 of the HVAC-coupling wall dock 702′ are judiciously limited in number and selection to represent a business and technical compromise between (i) providing enough control signal inputs to meet the needs of a reasonably large number of HVAC systems in a reasonably large number of households, while also (ii) not intimidating or overwhelming the do-it-yourself customer with an overly complex array of connection points. For one embodiment, the judicious selection of input wiring ports 851 consists of the following set: Rh (24 VAC heating call switch power); Rc (24VAC cooling call switch power); W (heating call); Y (cooling call); G (fan); and O/B (heat pump).

The HVAC-coupling wall dock 702′ is configured and designed in conjunction with the VSCU unit 100, including both hardware aspects and programming aspects, to provide a DIY installation process that is simple, non-intimidating, and perhaps even fun for many DIY installers, and that further provides an appreciable degree of foolproofing capability for protecting the HVAC system from damage and for ensuring that the correct signals are going to the correct equipment. For one embodiment, the HVAC-coupling wall dock 702′ is equipped with a small mechanical detection switch (not shown) for each distinct input port, such that the insertion of a wire (and, of course, the non-insertion of a wire) is automatically detected and a corresponding indication signal is provided to the VSCU 100 upon initial docking. In this way, the VSCU 100 has knowledge for each individual input port whether a wire has, or has not been, inserted into that port. Preferably, the VSCU unit 100 is also provided with electrical sensors (e.g., voltmeter, ammeter, and ohmmeter) corresponding to each of the input wiring ports 851. The VSCU 100 is thereby enabled, by suitable programming, to perform some fundamental “sanity checks” at initial installation. By way of example, if there is no input wire at either the Rc or Rh terminal, or if there is no AC voltage sensed at either of these terminals, further initialization activity can be immediately halted, and the user notified on the circular display monitor 102, because there is either no power at all or the user has inserted the Rc and/or Rh wires into the wrong terminal. By way of further example, if there is a live voltage on the order of 24 VAC detected at any of the W, Y, and G terminals, then it can be concluded that the user has placed the Rc and/or Rh wire in the wrong place, and appropriate installation halting and user notification can be made.

One particularly advantageous feature from a safety and equipment preservation perspective provided according to one embodiment relates to automated opening versus automated shunting of the Rc and Rh terminals by the VSCU unit 100. In many common home installations, instead of there being separate wires provided for Rc (24 VAC heating call switch power) and Rh (24 VAC cooling call switch power), there is only a single 24VAC call switch power lead provided. This single 24VAC lead, which might be labeled R, V, Rh, or Rc depending on the unique history and geographical location of the home, provides the call switch power for both heating and cooling. For such cases, it is electrically necessary for any thermostat to have its Rc and Rh input ports shunted together so that the power from that single lead can be respectively accessed by the heating and cooling call switches. However, in many other common home installations, there are separate 24 VAC wires provided for Rc and Rh running from separate transformers and, when so provided, it is important not to shunt them together to avoid equipment damage. These situations are resolved historically by (i) the professional installer examining the HVAC system and ensuring that a shunting lead (or equivalent DIP switch setting) is properly installed or not installed as appropriate, and/or (ii) the historical presence on most thermostats of a discrete user-toggled mechanical or electromechanical switch (e.g., HEAT-OFF-COOL) to ensure that heating and cooling are never simultaneously activated. Notably, it is desired to omit any discrete mechanical HEAT-OFF-COOL in most embodiments and to eliminate the need for a professional installer for the instant DIY product version environment. Advantageously, according to an embodiment, the VSCU 100 is advantageously equipped and programmed to (i) automatically test the inserted wiring to classify the user's HVAC system into one of the above two types (i.e., single call power lead versus dual call power leads), (ii) to automatically ensure that the Rc and Rh input ports remain electrically segregated if the if the user's HVAC system is determined to be of the dual call power lead type, and (iii) to automatically shunt the Rc and Rh input ports together if the user's HVAC system is determined to be of the single call power lead type. The automatic testing can comprise, without limitation, electrical sensing such as that provided by voltmeter, ammeters, ohmmeters, and reactance-sensing circuitry, as well as functional detection as described further below.

Also provided at installation time according to an embodiment, which is particularly useful and advantageous in the DIY scenario, is automated functional testing of the HVAC system by the VSCU unit 100 based on the wiring insertions made by the installer as detected by the small mechanical detection switches at each distinct input port. Thus, for example, where an insertion into the W (heating call) input port is mechanically sensed at initial startup, the VSCU unit 100 actuates the furnace (by coupling W to Rh) and then automatically monitors the temperature over a predetermined period, such as ten minutes. If the temperature is found to be rising over that predetermined period, then it is determined that the W (heating call) lead has been properly connected to the W (heating call) input port. However, if the temperature is found to be falling over that predetermined period, then it is determined that Y (cooling call) lead has likely been erroneously connected to the W (heating call) input port. For one embodiment, when such error is detected, the system is shut down and the user is notified and advised of the error on the circular display monitor 102. For another embodiment, when such error is detected, the VSCU unit 100 automatically reassigns the W (heating call) input port as a Y (cooling call) input port to automatically correct the error. Similarly, according to an embodiment, where the Y (cooling call) lead is mechanically sensed at initial startup, the VSCU unit 100 actuates the air conditioner (by coupling Y to Rc) and then automatically monitors the temperature, validating the Y connection if the temperature is sensed to be falling and invalidating the Y connection (and, optionally, automatically correcting the error by reassigning the Y input port as a W input port) if the temperature is sensed to be rising. In view of the present disclosure, the determination and incorporation of other automated functional tests into the above-described method for other HVAC functionality would be achievable by the skilled artisan and are within the scope of the present teachings. By way of example, for one embodiment there can be a statistical study done on the electrical noise patterns associated with the different control wires and a unique or partially unique “noise fingerprint” associated with the different wires, and then the VSCU unit 100 can automatically sense the noise on each of the existing control wires to assist in the automated testing and verification process.

Also provided at installation time according to an embodiment, which is likewise particularly advantageous in the DIY scenario, is automated determination of the homeowner's pre-existing heat pump wiring convention when an insertion onto the O/B (heat pump) input port is mechanically sensed at initial startup. Depending on a combination of several factors such as the history of the home, the geographical region of the home, and the particular manufacturer and installation year of the home's heat pump, there may be a different heat pump signal convention used with respect to the direction of operation (heating or cooling) of the heat pump. According to an embodiment, the VSCU unit 100 automatically and systematically applies, for each of a plurality of preselected candidate heat pump actuation signal conventions, a cooling actuation command and a heating actuation command, each actuation command being followed by a predetermined time period over which the temperature change is sensed. If the cooling command according to the presently selected candidate convention is followed by a sensed period of falling temperature, and the heating command according to the presently selected candidate convention is followed by a sensed period of rising temperature, then the presently selected candidate convention is determined to be the actual heat pump signal convention for that home. If, on the other hand, the cooling command was not followed by a sensed period of cooling and/or the heating command was not followed by a sensed period of heating, then the presently selected candidate convention is discarded and the VSCU unit 100 repeats the process for the next candidate heat pump actuation signal convention. For one example, a first candidate heat pump actuation signal convention is (a) for cooling, leave O/B open and connect Y to Rc, and (b) for heating, connect O/B to Rh, while a second candidate heat pump actuation signal convention is (a) for cooling, connect O/B to Rc, and (b) for heating, leave O/B open and connect W to Rh. In view of the present disclosure, the determination and incorporation of other candidate heat pump actuation signal conventions into the above-described method would be achievable by the skilled artisan and are within the scope of the present teachings.

FIG. 8B illustrates a conceptual diagram of an HVAC-coupling wall dock 702″ with particular reference to a set of input wiring ports 861 thereof, and which represents a second version of the HVAC-coupling wall dock 702 of FIG. 7 that is manufactured and sold in a “professional” product package in conjunction with the VSCU unit 100. The professional product package is preferably manufactured and marketed with professional installation in mind, such as by direct marketing to HVAC service companies, general contractors involved in the construction of new homes, or to homeowners having more complex HVAC systems with a recommendation for professional installation. The input wiring ports 861 of the HVAC-coupling wall dock 702″ are selected to be sufficient to accommodate both simple and complex HVAC systems alike. For one embodiment, the input wiring ports 861 include the following set: Rh (24 VAC heating call switch power); Rc (24VAC cooling call switch power); W1 (first stage heating call); W2 (second stage heating call); Y1 (first stage cooling call); Y2 (second stage cooling call); G (fan); O/B (heat pump); AUX (auxiliary device call); E (emergency heating call); HUM (humidifier call); and DEHUM (dehumidifier call). For one embodiment, even though professional installation is contemplated, the HVAC-coupling wall dock 702″ is nevertheless provided with small mechanical detection switches (not shown) at the respective input wiring ports for wire insertion sensing, and the VSCU unit 100 is provided with one or more of the various automated testing and automated configuration capabilities associated with the DIY package described above, which may be useful for some professional installers and/or more technically savvy do-it-yourselfers confident enough to perform the professional-model installation for their more advanced HVAC systems.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the VSCU unit 100 and an HVAC-coupling wall dock 902 according to an embodiment. The HVAC-coupling wall dock 902 is similar to the HVAC-coupling wall dock 702 of FIG. 7, supra, except that it has an additional functionality as a very simple, elemental, standalone thermostat when the VSCU unit 100 is removed, the elemental thermostat including a standard temperature readout/setting dial 972 and a simple COOL-OFF-HEAT switch 974. This can prove useful for a variety of situations, such as if the VSCU 100 needs to be removed for service or repair for an extended period of time over which the occupants would still like to remain reasonably comfortable. For one embodiment, the elemental thermostat components 972 and 974 are entirely mechanical in nature, such that no electrical power is needed to trip the control relays. For other embodiments, simple electronic controls such as electrical up/down buttons and/or an LCD readout are provided. For other embodiments, some subset of the advanced functionalities of the VSCU unit 100 can be provided, such as elemental network access to allow remote control, to provide a sort of “brain stem” functionality while the “brain” (the VSCU unit 100) is temporarily away.

FIGS. 10A-10C illustrate conceptual diagrams representative of advantageous scenarios in which multiple VSCU units are installed in a home 201 (or other space such as retail stores, office buildings, industrial buildings, and more generally any living space or work space having one or more HVAC systems) according to embodiments in which the home (or other space) does not have a wireless data network. For the embodiment of FIG. 10A in which the home 201 has a single HVAC system 298, a primary VSCU unit 100 is installed and connected thereto via the control wires 298, which an auxiliary VSCU unit 100′ is placed, by way of example, on a nightstand 1202. The primary VSCU unit 100 and auxiliary VSCU unit 100′ are each configured to automatically recognize the presence of the other and to communicate with each other using a wireless communication protocol such as Wi-Fi or ZigBee running in an ad hoc mode.

Many advantageous capabilities are programmed into the VSCU units 100 and 100′ to leverage their communication and multi-sensing capabilities such that they jointly, in a cooperative manner, perform the many VSCU unit functionalities described herein (e.g., “learning” about the home HVAC environment, performing occupancy sensing and prediction, “learning” user comfort preferences, etc.) that do not require Internet access. By way of simple example, in one embodiment the primary VSCU unit 100 receives temperature data from the auxiliary VSCU unit 100′ and computes an average of the two temperatures, controlling the HVAC system 299 such that the average temperature of the home 201 is maintained at the current temperature set point level. One or more additional auxiliary VSCU units (not shown) may also be positioned at one or more additional locations throughout the home and can become part the ad hoc “home VSCU network.” The scope of the present teachings not being limited to any particular maximum number of auxiliary VSCU units. Among other advantages, adding more auxiliary VSCU units is advantageous in that more accurate occupancy detection is promoted, better determination of spatial temperature gradients and thermal characteristics is facilitated, and additional data processing power is provided.

Preferably, the primary/auxiliary VSCU units 100/100′ are programmed to establish a master/slave relationship, wherein any conflicts in their automated control determinations are resolved in favor of the master VSCU unit, and/or such that any user inputs at the master unit take precedence over any conflicting user inputs made at the slave VSCU unit. Although the primary VSCU unit 100 will likely be the “master” VSCU unit in a beginning or default scenario, the status of any particular VSCU unit as a “master” or “slave” is not dictated solely by its status as a primary or auxiliary VSCU unit. Moreover, the status of any particular VSCU unit as “master” or “slave” is not permanent, but rather is dynamically established to best meet current HVAC control needs as can be best sensed and/or predicted by the VSCU units. For one preferred embodiment, the establishment of “master” versus “slave” status is optimized to best meet the comfort desires of the human occupants as can be best sensed and/or predicted by the VSCU units. By way of example, if each VSCU unit is sensing the presence of multiple occupants in their respective areas, then the primary VSCU unit is established as the master unit and controls the HVAC system 299 such that the average temperature reading of the two VSCU units is maintained at the current set point temperature according to a currently active template schedule (i.e., a schedule of time intervals and set point temperatures for each time interval). However, if no occupants in the home are sensed except for a person in the bedroom (as sensed by the auxiliary VSCU unit 100′ which is positioned on a nightstand in this example), then the auxiliary VSCU unit 100′ becomes the “master” VSCU unit, which commands the “slave” VSCU unit 100 to control the HVAC system 299 such that the temperature in the bedroom, as sensed by the “master” unit, stays at a current set point temperature.

Many other automated master/slave establishment scenarios and control determinations based on human behavioral studies, statistical compilations, and the like are within the scope of the present teachings. In one example, the master-slave determination can be made and/or influenced or supported based on an automated determination of which thermostat is in a better place to more reliably govern the temperature, based on historical and/or testing-observed cycling behavior or other criteria. For example, sensors that are immediately over a heat register will not be reliable and will keep cycling the furnace too often. Nodes that are in bathrooms and in direct sunlight are also less reliable. When there are multiple sensors/nodes, there is an algorithm that determines which one is more reliable, and there is master-slave determination based on those determinations. For some related embodiments, VSCU units automatically determined to be near bathrooms and dishwashers can be assigned custom templates designed to at least partially ameliorate the adverse effects of such placement.

The establishment of master-slave status for the primary/auxiliary VSCU units 100/100′ can also be based upon human control inputs. By way of example, if each VSCU unit is sensing the presence of multiple occupants in their respective areas, and then a user manually changes the current set point temperature on one of the two units, that VSCU unit can output the question, “Master Override?” on its circular display monitor 102 (analogous to the query capability shown at FIGS. 5A-5B, supra), along with two answer options “Yes” and “Let VSCU Decide,” with the latter being circled as the default response. On the other hand, if the two VSCUs collectively sense only the presence of that user in the home and no other occupants, then whichever unit was controlled by the user can be established as the master unit, without the need for asking the user for a resolution. By way of further example, the VSCU units 100/100′ can be programmed such that the establishment of master/slave status can be explicitly dictated by the user at system setup time (such as during a setup interview), or at a subsequent configuration time using the menu-driven user interface (see FIGS. 4-5B, supra) of one of the two VSCU units. When combined with lockout functionality and/or user-specific identification as described elsewhere in the instant specification, this can be particularly useful where Mom and Dad wish to control the house temperature at night using the VSCU unit in their bedroom, and not for their teenage daughter to control the house temperature at night using the VSCU unit in her bedroom.

Also provided according to an embodiment is an ability for the multiple VSCU units to judiciously share computing tasks among them in an optimal manner based on power availability and/or circuitry heating criteria. Many of the advanced sensing, prediction, and control algorithms provided with the VSCU unit are relatively complex and computationally intensive, and can result in high power usage and/or device heating if carried out unthrottled. For one embodiment, the intensive computations are automatically distributed such that a majority (or plurality) of them are carried out on a subset of the VSCU units known to have the best power source(s) available at that time, and/or to have known to have the highest amount of stored battery power available. Thus, for example, because it is generally preferable for each primary VSCU unit not to require household AC power for simplicity of installation as well as for equipment safety concerns, the primary VSCU unit 100 of FIG. 10A will often be powered by energy harvesting from one or more of the 24 VAC call relay power signals, and therefore may only have a limited amount of extra power available for carrying out intensive computations. In contrast, a typical auxiliary VSCU unit may be a nightstand unit that can be plugged in as easily as a clock radio. In such cases, much of the computational load can be assigned to the auxiliary VSCU unit so that power is preserved in the primary VSCU unit. In another embodiment, the speed of the intensive data computations carried out by the auxiliary VSCU unit (or, more generally, any VSCU unit to which the heavier computing load is assigned) can be automatically throttled using known techniques to avoid excessive device heating, such that temperature sensing errors in that unit are avoided. In yet another embodiment, the temperature sensing functionality of the VSCU unit(s) to which the heavier computing load is assigned can be temporarily suspended for an interval that includes the duration of the computing time, such that no erroneous control decisions are made if substantial circuitry heating does occur.

Referring now to FIG. 10B, it is often the case that a home or business will have two or more HVAC systems, each of them being responsible for a different zone in the house and being controlled by its own thermostat. Thus, shown in FIG. 10B is a first HVAC system 299 associated with a first zone Z1, and a second HVAC system 299′ associated with a second zone Z2. According to an embodiment, first and second primary VSCU units 100 and 100″ are provided for controlling the respective HVAC units 299 and 299′. The first and second primary VSCU units 100 and 100″ are configured to leverage their communication and multi-sensing capabilities such that they jointly, in a cooperative manner, perform many cooperative communication-based VSCU unit functionalities similar or analogous to those described above with respect to FIG. 10A, and still further cooperative VSCU unit functionalities for multi-zone control as described herein. As illustrated in FIG. 10C, the cooperative functionality of the first and second primary VSCU units 100 and 100″ can be further enhanced by the addition of one or more auxiliary VSCU units 100′ according to further embodiments.

It is to be appreciated that there are other multiple-thermostat scenarios that exist in some homes other than ones for which each thermostat controls a distinct HVAC system, and that multiple VSCU unit installations capable of controlling such systems are within the scope of the present teachings. In some existing home installations there may only be a single furnace or a single air conditioning unit, but the home may still be separated into plural “zones” by virtue of actuated flaps in the ductwork, each “zone” being controlled by its own thermostat. In such settings, two primary VSCU units can be installed and configured to cooperate, optionally in conjunction with one or more auxiliary VSCU units, to provide optimal HVAC system control according to the described embodiments.

FIG. 10D illustrates cycle time plots for two HVAC systems in a two-zone home heating (or cooling) configuration, for purposes of illustrating an advantageous, energy-saving dual-zone control method implemented by dual primary VSCU units such as the VSCU units 100 and 100″ of FIGS. 10B-10C, according to an embodiment. According to an embodiment, the VSCU units 100 and 100″ are configured to mutually cooperate such that their actuation cycle times are staggered with respect to each other to be generally about 180 degrees (π radians) out of phase with each other. Shown in FIG. 10D are two cycle time plots 1002 and 1004 that are identical with respect to the total percentage of time (e.g., the total number of minutes in an hour) that the heating (or cooling) units are “ON”. For two adjacent zones such as Z1 and Z2 that are in thermal communication with each other, it has been found that running their heating (or cooling) units without mutually controlled operation can allow the system to stray into a sort of high frequency resonance response (FIG. 10D, plot 1002) characterized by rapid temperature fluctuations between the swing points and a relatively high number of cycles per hour, which can reduce energy efficiency due to inertial start-up and shut-down losses. In contrast, when purposely controlled to be mutually out of phase with each other according an embodiment, it has been found that a more stable and lower frequency response behavior occurs (FIG. 10D, plot 1004) characterized by fewer cycles per hour and correspondingly increased energy efficiency.

For one embodiment that is particularly advantageous in the context of non-network-connected VSCU units, the VSCU unit is configured and programmed to use optically sensed information to determine an approximate time of day. For a large majority of installations, regardless of the particular location of installation in the home (the only exceptions being perhaps film photography development labs or other purposely darkened rooms), there will generally be a cyclical 24-hour pattern in terms of the amount of ambient light that is around the VSCU unit. This cyclical 24-hour pattern is automatically sensed, with spurious optical activity such as light fixture actuations being filtered out over many days or weeks if necessary, and optionally using ZIP code information, to establish a rough estimate of the actual time of day. This rough internal clock can be used advantageously for non-network-connected installations to verify and correct a gross clock setting error by the user (such as, but not limited to, reversing AM and PM), or as a basis for asking the user to double-check (using the circular display monitor 102), or to establish a time-of-day clock if the user did not enter a time.

FIG. 11 illustrates a conceptual diagram representative of an advantageous scenario in which one or more VSCU units are installed in a home that is equipped with WiFi wireless connectivity and access to the Internet (or, in more general embodiments, any kind of data connectivity to each VSCU unit and access to a wide area network). Advantageously, in addition to providing the standalone, non-Internet connected functionalities described for FIGS. 10A-10C and elsewhere herein, the connection of one or more VSCU units to the Internet triggers their ability to provide a rich variety of additional capabilities. Shown in FIG. 11 is a primary VSCU unit 100 and auxiliary VSCU unit 100′ having WiFi access to the Internet 1199 via a wireless router/Internet gateway 1168. Provided according to embodiments is the ability for the user to communicate with the VSCU units 100 and/or 100′ via their home computer 1170, their smart phone 1172 or other portable data communication appliance 1172′, or any other Internet-connected computer 1170′.

FIG. 12 illustrates a conceptual diagram of a larger overall energy management network as enabled by the VSCU units and VSCU Efficiency Platform described herein and for which one or more of the systems, methods, computer program products, and related business methods of one or more described embodiments is advantageous applied. The environment of FIG. 12, which could be applicable on any scale (neighborhood, regional, state-wide, country-wide, and even world-wide), includes the following: a plurality of homes 201 each having one or more network-enabled VSCU units 100; an exemplary hotel 1202 (or multi-unit apartment building, etc.) in which each room or unit has a VSCU unit 100, the hotel 1202 further having a computer system 1204 and database 1206 configured for managing the multiple VSCU units and running software programs, or accessing cloud-based services, provisioned and/or supported by the VSCU data service company 1208; a VSCU data service company 1208 having computing equipment 1210 and database equipment 1212 configured for facilitating provisioning and management of VSCU units, VSCU support equipment, and VSCU-related software and subscription services; a handyman or home repair company 1214 having a computer 1216 and database 1218 configured, for example, to remotely monitor and test VSCU operation and automatically trigger dispatch tickets for detected problems, the computer 1216 and database 1218 running software programs or accessing cloud-based services provisioned and/or supported by the VSCU data service company 1208; a landlord or property management company 1220 having a computer 1222 and database 1224 configured, for example, to remotely monitor and/or manage the VSCU operation of their tenants and/or clients, the computer 1222 and database 1224 running software programs, or accessing cloud-based services, provisioned and/or supported by the VSCU data service company 1208; and a utility company 1226 providing HVAC energy to their customers and having computing equipment 1228 and database equipment 1230 for monitoring VSCU unit operation, providing VSCU-usable energy usage data and statistics, and managing and/or controlling VSCU unit set points at peak load times or other times, the computing equipment 1228 and database equipment 1230 running software programs or accessing cloud-based services provisioned and/or supported by the VSCU data service company 1208.

According to one embodiment, each VSCU unit provides external data access at two different functionality levels, one for user-level access with all of the energy gaming and home management functionality described herein, and another for an installer/vendor (“professional”) that lets the professional “check in” on your system, look at all the different remote sensing gauges, and offer to provide and/or automatically provide the user with a service visit.

FIGS. 13A-13B and FIGS. 14A-14B illustrate examples of remote graphical user interface displays presented to the user on their data appliance for managing their one or more VSCU units and/or otherwise interacting with their VSCU Efficiency Platform equipment or data according to an embodiment. For one embodiment, one or more of the displays of FIGS. 13A-14B is provided directly by a designated one of the user's own VSCU units, the user logging directly into the device in the same way they can log on to their own home router. For another embodiment, one or more of the displays of FIGS. 13A-14B is displayed when the user logs on to a web site of a central, regional, or local service provider, such as the VSCU data service provider 1208 of FIG. 12, supra, which in turn communicates with the user's VSCU unit(s) over the Internet. Although the scope of the present teachings is not so limited, the examples of FIGS. 13A-13B are particularly suitable for display in a conventional browser window, the example of FIG. 14A is particularly suitable for display on a smaller portable data device such as an iPhone, and the example of FIG. 14B is particularly suitable for display on a larger portable data device such as an iPad. According to one embodiment, the remote user interface includes a relatively large image that is representative of what the user would actually see if they were standing in front of their VSCU unit at that time. Preferably, the user interface allows the user to enter “left ring rotate”, “right ring rotate”, and “inward press” commands thereon just as if they were standing in front of their VSCU unit, such as by suitable swipes, mouse click-and-drags, softbuttons, etc. The remote user interface can also graphically display, and allow the user to graphically manipulate, the set point temperatures and/or time interval limits of their template schedule(s) based on suitable graphs, plots, charts, or other types of data display and manipulation. The remote user interface can also graphically display a variety of other information related to the user's energy usage including, but not limited to, their utility bills and historical energy usage costs and trends, weather information, game-style information showing their performance against other similarly situated households or other suitable populations, and helpful hints, advice, links, and news related to energy conservation.

Provided according to some embodiments is a direct e-mail or text message command functionality for the remote user, such that they can send a brief control command to an e-mail address of the VSCU unit without being required to perform the full remote login and enter the command using the more complete user interfaces of FIGS. 13A-14B. The remotely sent commands can be very brief and consistent with a small list of common commands such as “Heat 78” or “Heat 78 @ 8:00 PM”. For another embodiment, a natural language interpretation capability is provided, such that a natural language e-mail can be sent to the VSCU's e-mail address, such as “I am away now, go into away mode” or “I will return at 8 PM tonight instead of 6 PM as usual so keep it at 65 until then and preheat to 72 for when I get home.”

As could be realized by a person skilled in the art upon reading the present disclosure and based on system components and methods disclosed hereinabove and illustrated in the accompany drawings, provided in conjunction with the VSCU 100 and/or the VSCU Efficiency Platform are one or more devices, features or functionalities as described further hereinbelow.

According to some embodiments, various systems and methods for detecting occupancy of an enclosure, such as a dwelling, are provided by one or more of the installed VSCU units in the manner described in Ser. No. 12/881,430, supra. Examples include: detecting motion, monitoring communication signals such as network traffic and/or mobile phone traffic, monitoring sound pressure information such as in the audible and/or ultrasonic ranges, monitoring utility information such powerline information or information from Smart Meters, monitoring motion in close proximity to the sensor, monitoring infrared signals that tend to indicate operation of infrared controllable devices, sudden changes in ambient light, and monitoring indoor air pressure (to distinguish from pressure mats used in security applications) information which tends to indicate occupancy.

According to one embodiment that represents a combination of business method and technical method, acoustic monitoring is used to facilitate detect occupancy sensing, but the acoustic-to-electrical transducer equipment is purposely hampered in its ability to convert the acoustic energy of human speech into electrical form in a way that the actual human speech could be extracted therefrom. Stated differently, while the acoustic monitoring would be able to detect the presence of audible human activity, including speech, there would be no possibility of any actual words being “heard” by the VSCU unit even if those acousto-electric patterns were somehow recorded. In this way, privacy concerns of occupants and civil liberty groups are not problematic to the rollout and acceptance of the VSCU units and the VSCU Efficiency Platform. In one business method, this feature is actually used as a selling point for the product, being marketed with a moniker such as “privacy-preserving pressure wave sensing technology” or the like.

Particular examples of the above-described occupancy detection methods are now presented by way of example and not by way of limitation. One occupancy detection method is to incorporate a Wi-Fi sniffer capability into the VSCU units, i.e., when a lot of data traffic is seen on the user's home network, a conclusion can be made or supported that the house is occupied. Conversely, if the VSCU units are receiving remote control commands or other communications from a known user using a data communication device whose IP address is different than that of the home network, or a cell phone whose GPS location is different than that of the house, then a determination can be made or supported that that known user is not in the house. Other local electromagnetic signals associated with local user activity, such as cordless phone signals in the 900 MHz and 5.8 GHz, can also be used to make or support a determination that the house is occupied. Another occupancy detection method incorporated into the VSCU units is to sense infrared television remote control radiation as emitted from television remote control units. Another occupancy detection method uses the temperature and humidity readings of the VSCU units themselves. For example, a temperature/humidity change accompanies a pressure change, it is more likely that somebody opened an outside door and is therefore entering or leaving the building. Another occupancy detection method includes the consideration of user controls onto the VSCU units themselves. In a simplest example, if someone just adjusted the thermostat, there is certainly someone present in the house. In a more complex example, if a user just turned down the thermostat temperature in wintertime, and this is followed by a sensed sudden pressure change, then a determination can be made or supported that the occupants are leaving the building for some period of time. Also, if there are controls being made over the internet, by a cell phone or laptop or whatever, and the IP address corresponds to that of the home network, that you can conclude that the user is entering that information from inside the home, and therefore that the house is occupied.

For some embodiments, current energy-saving decisions based on current outside temperatures and predicted outside temperatures are provided. For example, if it is a really hot day but it is predicted that the outside temperature will be going down precipitously quite soon, the set point temperature may be raised at that time, or the amount of permissible swing raised or other action that causes a reduction in the number of cycles per hour. As another example, for a place like Arizona, if it is 40 degrees outside at 6 AM but it is expected that the outside temperature will be 100 degrees at 10 AM, the heat is not turned on at 6 AM even if the inside temperature is below the heating set point.

For some embodiments, anticipatory heating or cooling based on expected energy cost changes is provided. If a determination is made that the instantaneous cost of electricity will go up in a few hours based on current weather patterns and/or other aggregated data, the immediate cooling set point is lowered, and the set points for the subsequent hours are raised (and/or the acceptable swing is increased) so that more energy is used now and less energy is used later. Another concrete example is “spare the air” days which can be anticipated based on stored information and the recent and forecasted outside temperatures.

For some embodiments, centralized web-based communication with internet-connected VSCU units is provided to avoid blackouts during a heat wave. For “opt-in” VSCU-enabled customers who have so elected in exchange for financial incentives, the utility company (or VSCU data service provider on their behalf, optionally for a negotiated fee) can automatically issue a command that those VSCU units raise their set point temperatures by 5 degrees and it will automatically happen.

For some embodiments, there is provided user control over energy saving aggressiveness. Regarding the internal decisions made by the VSCU units, (e.g., weather-specific set points, anticipatory heating/cooling, compliance with external overrides, etc.), the user can be allowed to set this aggressiveness level during their setup interview, and also can be allowed change it later on. The setting can be “very aggressive savings,” “moderate savings”, “none”, and so forth. One example of automated weather-specific set point is that, for relatively cool days in which the outside temperature might be 84, the cooling set point is automatically set to 78, whereas if the outside temperature is greater than 95, the cooling set point is automatically set to 82. For some embodiments, the need for an increased (or decreased) level of aggressiveness can be automatically detected by the VSCU units and recommended to the user (e.g., on the circular user display 102 or on the remote control interface). In further embodiments, the level of aggressiveness can be automatically increased (or decreased) by the VSCU units, which then simply notify the user (e.g., on the circular user display 102 or on the remote control interface) that the aggressiveness change has been implemented.

According to some embodiments, the VSCU unit(s) installed in any particular home (or more generally “enclosure”) are automatically able to characterize its HVAC-related characteristics such as thermal mass, heating capacity, cooling capacity, and thermal conductivity metrics between the inside and the outside, for example using one or more methods described in Ser. No. 12/881,463, supra. For one embodiment, this characterization is made by operating the HVAC in various predetermined heating and cooling modes for predetermined time intervals at initial system installation testing, or at some other point in time, and then processing (i) the resultant temperature (and optionally humidity) profiles as sensed at the one or more VSCU units in conjunction with (ii) extrinsic information, such as building size, square footage, and so forth as provided by (a) the user during the congenial setup interview (or a separate interview) and/or (b) automatically scraped from public data sources, such as zillow.com, based on the home address as provided by the user. The installed VSCU units, optionally in conjunction with information provided by a VSCU data service provider, are configured to model the thermal and thermodynamic behavior of the enclosure for use in optimizing energy usage while also keeping the occupants comfortable. According to some embodiments, weather forecast data predicting future weather conditions for a region including the location of the enclosure are received. A model for the enclosure that describes the behavior of the enclosure for use by the control system is updated based on the weather forecast data. The HVAC system for the enclosure is then controlled using the updated model for the enclosure.

According to some embodiments, the weather forecast data includes predictions more than 24 hours in the future, and can include predictions such as temperature, humidity and/or dew point, solar output, precipitation, wind and natural disasters. According to some embodiments the model for the enclosure is updated based also on historical weather data such as temperature, humidity, wind, solar output and precipitation. According to some embodiments, the model for the enclosure is updated based in part on the occupancy data, such as predicted and/or detected occupancy data. The model for the enclosure updating can also be based calendar data. According to some embodiments, the model for the enclosure is updated based also on the data from the one or more weather condition sensors that sense current parameters such as temperature, humidity, wind, precipitation, and/or solar output. According to some embodiments, the locations of the weather condition sensors can be automatically detected. According to some embodiments, the model for the enclosure is updated based also on an enclosure model stored in a database, and/or on enclosure information from a user.

According to some embodiments, the enclosure modeling includes actively inducing a change in the internal environment of the enclosure, measuring a response of the internal environment of the enclosure from the induced change, and updating a model for the enclosure that describes behavior of the enclosure for use by the control system based at least in part on the measurement of the response from the induced change. According to some embodiments the change is actively induced primarily for purposes of updating the model for the enclosure, rather than for conditioning the internal environment of the enclosure. The change can be actively induced in response to input by a user, or it can be induced automatically by the VSCU units for example due to the type of enclosure or a change in season. The change is preferably induced at a time when the enclosure is likely to be unoccupied.

As used herein the term “model” refers generally to a description or representation of a system. The description or representation can use mathematical language, such as in the case of mathematical models. Examples of types of models and/or characteristics of models, without limitation, include: lookup tables, linear, non-linear, deterministic, probabilistic, static, dynamic, and models having lumped parameters and/or distributed parameters. As used herein the terms “profile,” “structure profile,” “structure model,” “enclosure profile,” “enclosure model,” “building profile,” “building model” and the like refer to any numerical or mathematical description or models of at least some of thermodynamic behavioral characteristics of a building, enclosure and/or structure, for example for use in HVAC applications. As used herein the term “sensor” refers generally to a device or system that measures and/or registers a substance, physical phenomenon and/or physical quantity. The sensor may convert a measurement into a signal, which can be interpreted by an observer, instrument and/or system. A sensor can be implemented as a special purpose device and/or can be implemented as software running on a general-purpose computer system. As used herein the term “structure” includes enclosures and both non-buildings and buildings. As used herein the term “enclosure” means any structure having one or more enclosed areas, and also includes any building. Examples of structures and enclosures include, but are not limited to: residential buildings, commercial buildings and complexes, industrial buildings, sites and installations, and civil constructions. As used herein the term “thermodynamic” includes all state variables that can be used to characterize a physical system. Examples of thermodynamic variables include, but are not limited to: pressure, temperature, airflow, humidity, and particulate matter.

According to some embodiments, the VSCU units are configured and programmed to automatically determine, based on sensed performance data, when one or more air filters of the HVAC system (see, for example, filter 246 of FIG. 2B, supra) needs to be changed. For one embodiment, this is performed using only the multi-sensor capability provided on the VSCU units themselves, such as by recognizing a gradual pattern over time that it is taking the house longer to heat up or cool down than normal. For other embodiments, additional sensors are provided, such as air flow sensors installed in one or more ventilation ducts, the sensors being equipped which communicate wirelessly with the VSCU units such as by using the low-power ZigBee protocol (or other wireless protocol), such that a gradual pattern over time of slowing airflow can be sensed that is indicative of a clogged air filter. For still other embodiments, custom filters that are specially equipped with air flow sensors or other sensors whose readings can be used to detect clog-related behavior are provided, and are equipped to communicate wirelessly with the VSCU units such as by using the low-power ZigBee protocol. For one embodiment, the additional sensors are power using energy harvesting technology, such as by harvesting energy from oscillations or vibrations caused by airflow thereby. In one embodiment, an e-mail, text message, or machine audio voice call is sent to the customer to alert them of the need for a new filter. In one embodiment, a business method is provided in which the need for a new filter is automatically communicated to an external service provider, such as the handyman/home repair company 1214 of FIG. 12, supra, which triggers an automated maintenance ticket event, or such as the VSCU data service provider 1208 of FIG. 12 or a commercial warehouse, which triggers an automated shipping of a new filter to the customer's doorstep.

For other embodiments, similar automated detection, customer alerting, and maintenance event triggering as described in the preceding paragraph is provided for any type of HVAC system anomaly such as, but not limited to, the general failure of the house to heat or cool to the set point temperature or the clogging of a particular duct in the house (e.g., its airflow readings are grossly different than that of other sensors in other ducts). For one embodiment, acoustic signature sensing can be used to detect system anomalies, which takes advantage of the fact that a system's heating and cooling start up and shut down activity will often be characterized by unique yet repeatable noise signatures (e.g., fan noises, particular creaks and moans for older installations, etc), and that an onset of a variation in these noise signatures can be indicative of a system anomaly. In still other embodiments, baseline electrical noise patterns can be associated with each different HVAC control wire and stored, and then the VSCU unit 100 can automatically detect a potential system anomaly by sensing a significant variation in the noise pattern of one or more of the HVAC control wires.

For still other embodiments, other types of auxiliary sensors related to HVAC functionality, including both self-powering energy-harvesting sensors and those that get their power from other sources such as AC or batteries, are provided that are capable of ZigBee communication and are compatible with the VSCU Efficiency Platform, and used to sense system anomalies and/or maintenance-related information that the VSCU units can then act upon. In one example, a replacement cap for an outside propane or heating oil tank is provided that is capable of wirelessly sending fuel levels to the VSCU units, the cap optionally being powered by energy harvesting from the wind. In another example, a replacement cap for a coolant loop check valve is provided that is capable of wirelessly sending coolant loop pressure readings or a low-coolant alarms to the VSCU units, the cap optionally being powered by energy harvesting from compressor vibrations or other air conditioning system vibrations. According to some embodiments, the initial setup interview includes the following interactive questioning flow. The VSCU unit display format will look similar to FIGS. 5A-5B, with a first prompt being “Set-up VSCU for a: {Home} {Business}” where the notional “{X}” is used herein to denote that “X” is one of the user choices. If the user chooses “Home” then a first set of questions is asked, whereas if the user chooses “Business” then a second set of questions is asked. The first set of questions proceeds as follows: “Are you home at noon? {Usually} {Not Usually}” followed by “Are you home at 4 PM? {Usually} {Not Usually}” followed by “Do you have electric heat?” {Electric} {Not Electric} {I Don't Know}” followed by a request for location information such as the ZIP code and street address of the home. The second set of questions applicable to a business proceeds as follows: “Is this business open evenings? {Usually} {Not Usually}” followed by “Open Saturdays? {Usually} {Not Usually}” followed by “Open Sundays? {Usually} {Not Usually}” followed by “Do you have electric heat?” {Electric} {Not Electric} {I Don't Know}” followed by a request for location information such as the ZIP code and the street address of the business. It is to be appreciated that the above questions and selective answers are presented by way of example only, and not by way of limitation, and that many other questions and selective answers can be provided in addition to, or as an alternative to, these examples without departing from the scope of the present teachings.

According to some embodiments, the ZIP code of the household or business is asked at a point near the beginning of the setup interview, and then different setup interview questions can be asked that are pre-customized for different geographical regions based on the ZIP code. This is useful because the best set of interview questions for Alaskan homes or businesses, for example, will likely be different than the best set of interview questions for Floridian homes, for example.

According to some embodiments, the user's responses to the questions at the initial setup interview are used to automatically “snap” that household onto one of a plurality of pre-existing template schedules, i.e. a schedule of time intervals and set point temperatures for each time interval, stored in the VSCU unit and corresponding to some of the most common household or business paradigms. Examples of different household paradigms, each of which can have its own pre-existing template schedule, can include: working couple without kids; working couple with infants or young children; working family; working spouse with stay-at-home spouse; young people with active nightlife who work freelance from home; retired couple; and solo retiree. The template schedules to which the household is “snapped” at system initialization based on the setup interview (or at some other time upon user request) serve as convenient starting points for the operational control of the HVAC system for a large number of installations. The users can then modify their template schedules (e.g., using the user on the VSCU unit itself, the web interface, or smart phone interface, etc.) to suit their individual desires. The VSCU units may also modify these template schedules automatically based on learned occupancy patterns and manual user temperature control setting patterns. By way of nonlimiting example, a typical template schedule for a working family would be, for heating in wintertime “Mo Tu We Th Fr: [7:00 68] [9:00 62] [16:00 68] [22:00 62] Sa Su [7:00 68] [22:00 62]” (meaning that, for all five weekdays the set point temperatures will be 68 degrees from 7 AM-9 AM, then 62 degrees from 9 AM-4 PM, then 68 degrees from 4 PM-10 PM, then 62 degrees from 10 PM-7 AM, and that for both weekend days the set point temperatures will be 68 degrees from 7 AM-10 PM, then 62 degrees from 10 PM-7 AM), and for cooling in summertime, “Mo Tu We Th Fr: [7:00 75] [9:00 82] [16:00 78] [22:00 75] Sa Su [7:00 75] [9:00 78] [22:00 75].” In other embodiments, permissible swing temperature amounts, humidity ranges, and so forth can also be included in the template schedules.

For one embodiment, template schedules can be shared, similar to the way iTunes music playlists can be shared, optionally in a social networking context. For example, a user can post their template schedule on their Facebook or MySpace page for other people to download. Custom or standardized template schedules can be provided based on house size or ZIP code. Templates schedules will preferably be calendar-based (e.g., scheduled differently for Christmastime when more people are home). This is superior to prior art scheduling in which all customers everywhere are given the same schedule or the same set of strictures within which to program their schedule.

For one embodiment, customized installation instructions can be provided to the user based on their previously installed thermostat model. The user can go to the VSCU manufacturer's web site and enter their current thermostat make and model, and then a custom set of instructions based on the known wiring pattern of that model are provided for viewing, download, and printing. Optionally, customized videos on the user's computer or smart phone are provided. For one more advanced preferred embodiment, the user can take a photo of their current thermostat and submit it to the VSCU manufacturer's web site where its make and model will be automatically determined using machine vision techniques, so that the user does not need to figure out their current make and model.

For one embodiment, the VSCU units are configured and programmed to automatically detect and correct for exposure of one or more VSCU units to direct sunlight. Although users are advised, as with any thermostat, to avoid placing the VSCU units in areas of direct sunlight, it has been empirically found that many will place a VSCU unit where it will get direct sunlight for at least part of the day during at least a part of the year. Direct sunlight exposure can substantially confound HVAC system effectiveness because the temperature will be sensed as being incorrectly high, for example, the VSCU unit will measure 80 degrees when it is really only 68 degrees in the room. According to an embodiment, the one or more VSCU units are programmed to detect a direct sunlight exposure situation, such as by temperature tracking over periods of several days to several weeks and then filtering for periodic behaviors characteristic of direct sunlight exposure, and/or filtering for characteristic periodic discrepancies between multiple VSCU units. Correction is then implemented using one more correction methods.

By way of example and not by way of limitation, one simple method for correction for heating and cooling is to apply a direct numerical bias to the sunlight-bathed sensor reading during the direct sunlight interval based on knowledge from ambient light sensor reading, current time, current exact or approximate date, previous heat/cool cycle duration, temperature changes, and humidity changes. The VSCU unit learns from the first couple of occurrences the time and duration at which the sunlight falls on the device. For example, if the sunlight hit the sensor between 9:00-9:15 AM the day before in the spring, it will look for the sunlight occurrence around 8:58-9:13 AM the next day. If the heat/cool cycle is not needed during this time, one way to correct it would be to make an estimate of the temperature when the effect of the direct sunlight diminishes and make an interpolation between the current temperature and the predicted temperature between 8:58-9:13 AM. If the heat/cool cycle needs to be on, it learns from the previous cycles and make an estimate of cycle duration and temperature changes. It may use humidity and other sensors (in the device itself or in another device nearby) to verify the heat/cool cycle is on and remains on for an appropriate amount of time.

For some embodiments, the VSCU units provide optimal yet energy saving control based on human comfort modeling. In one example, if the user keeps turning up the thermostat above the set points provided in the template schedule, then VSCU units learn that and increase the set points in their template schedule. By way of further example, if the outside temperature has been 80 degrees for many days, and then for one day it is suddenly 60 degrees, the VSCU unit will keep the house at a warmer set point than if the outside temperature has been 60 degrees for many days. The reason is that humans are known to get accustomed to outside weather patterns that have been prevailing for a period of time, and so are more sensitive to sudden temperature changes than to longer term temperature changes. For example, if it has been 60 degrees for many days, the people will be more likely to dress warmer on an ongoing basis (put on sweatshirts and the like) and so the set point can be gradually lowered and/or the amount of swing can be gradually raised to save energy.

As another example of optimal yet energy saving control based on human comfort modeling, for one embodiment the VSCU is configured to perform in an advantageous way based on a predicted return time of the occupant. For this embodiment, the idea is to purposely pre-heat (or pre-cool in a counterpart example) the house, but only to a limited extent, perhaps only 60% of the difference between the “Away” and “Occupied” set points, until there is actually an occupancy detection event. For example, if the “Away” set point temperature is 64, and the “Occupied” set point temperature is 74, then the VSCU units start heating the house 20 minutes before the expected home arrival time, but only do so until the house heats up to 70 degrees. Then, when the occupant walks through the door, the remaining 4 degree heat-up is triggered by the VSCU units. In addition to saving energy, this can also be pleasing to the senses of the returning occupant, because the heat will be blowing, which gives a sense of hominess and of feeling welcome, a sense of “it is great to be home, it is so nice.” Moreover, it has been found that people are a lot more tolerant to the lower temperature immediately after they have walked through door than if they have been home for a while.

As another example of optimal yet energy saving control provided by the VSCU units, there is a control algorithm found to provide good results for situations of extended but finite opening of an external door, such as cases in which an occupant is bringing in the Christmas Tree or the groceries. In particular, if it usually takes 5 minutes to heat from 68 to 72, and it suddenly has taken 5 minutes just to heat from 68 to 69 or there has been no change at all from 68 in 5 minutes of heating, the VSCU unit will immediately turn off the heat for 10-15 minutes, and then try again to raise the temperature back to 72, under the possibility that the anomaly was temporary. And if it was indeed temporary, then the situation has resolved itself. But if the failure to heat up happens again, then there can be an alarm (or text message) that requests the user's attention, and if there is no response from the user the system is shut down because there is obviously something wrong. An e-mail message can be sent to the user such as “We have ruled out these things x-y-z from our sensor logs, maybe there is an outside door open or a-b-c is wrong.”

For another embodiment, there is provided a combined business and technical method relating to the “learning” process of the VSCU unit 100. The VSCU units are programmed to provide substantial “learning” about user occupancy and temperature control patters. The user will be advised at various times, such as by remote access, e-mail, SMS, VSCU unit display, etc., regarding the progress of the learning (e.g., “your occupancy information is 60 percent learned”). However, there will also be an ability for the users to turn off the learning function because they might not be comfortable with in. In one embodiment, the VSCU systemWill “act” like it is not learning (such as by stopping the progress messages), but will actually still be learning in the background, running in a simulation mode and continue to compile the learning data. Then, after some period has passed, the VSCU unit can compute the energy cost difference between the actual model it was running, versus the simulation model it was running in the background. If there is a substantial difference of “X” dollars, the user can be shown or sent a message such as, “You could have saved $44 if you had enabled learning-driven control, are you sure that you do not want to turn it on now?”

For another embodiment, there is provided a combined business and technical method in which users are offered a subscription service by a VSCU data service provider. As the VSCU data service provider comes up with new types of algorithms, they can offer VSCU unit customers a subscription to an external control/optimization service. As part of the offering process, the VSCU data service provider can run the new algorithms on the historical internal and external temperature data for that customer, and then say to them (by VSCU unit display or remote access display, for example), “If you had subscribed to this optimization service, you would have saved $88 last year”. Similar offerings can be made for discrete firmware version upgrades, e.g., “If you had purchased VSCU unit software version 2.0 instead of staying with version 1.0, you would have saved $90. Would you like to buy version 2.0 now for $20?”

For another embodiment, there is provided a combined business and technical method in which users are given advisory messages (by VSCU unit display or remote access display, for example) such as follows: “A VSCU-capable house in your ZIP code having the same size as your house spent $1000 for heating and cooling, whereas you spent $2000. You may have a leak or weather-stripping problem. You may wish to call ABC HVAC Service Company at 650-555-1212 who can do an energy audit to help you figure out what is wrong.”

For another embodiment, the VSCU units are programmed and configured to provide the user with the ability to control their HVAC system exclusively on the basis of an HVAC budget rather than on target temperature settings. The user simply enters a dollar amount per month that they want to spend on HVAC, and the VSCU automatically adjusts the settings such that the selected amount will be spent, in the most comfortable (or least uncomfortable) manner possible according to the user's known occupancy patterns and preferences. Optionally, the user can manually turn the set temperature up or down from the VSCU-established schedule, but if they do so, the VSCU unit will immediately display the difference in cost that will occur (For example, “Extra $5 per day: Continue? {Yes} {No}”. The calculations can take into account seasonal weather patterns, what month it is now, weather forecasts, and so forth. For another embodiment, the VSCU unit can ask the user, on its own initiative, “Do you want to save $100 this month by having VSCU manage your settings? {Yes} {No}” (as opposed to just asking “how about reducing temperature one degree”).

For another embodiment, the VSCU units are programmed and configured to provide the user with “pre-paid HVAC” and/or “pay as you go HVAC”. Based on a pre-paid amount or a pre-budgeted amount, the VSCU display will show the dollar amount that is remaining from that pre-paid or budgeted amount. This can be particularly useful in landlord-tenant environments or property management environments, wherein the landlord can program in the amount, and the tenant can see how much is left at any particular point in time. This can also be useful for vacation homes, allowing property managers to remotely manage power usage and settings. As part of this, the software locking mechanism described previously can determine who is using the thermostat based on personal codes, so the VSCU will know the identity of the user. This can still be useful in a single-family home setting, where certain targets can be set and the family can dynamically see a running tally as to how well they are performing relative to that target. The money amounts can be a set of default estimates, or can be based on actual usage as accessed from a utility company database using, for example, smart-meter readings.

For another embodiment, the VSCU units are programmed and configured to provide temperature setting governance based on user identity. The software locking functionality is used to ensure that only people with passcodes can change the VSCU temperature settings, and the VSCU unit furthermore recognizes a separate landlord (or other “governor”) password and one or more separate tenant (or other “governee”) passwords. The landlord can then login and set a maximum set temperature, such as 75. Thereafter, although the tenant can make temperature changes, the VSCU unit will not allow the tenant to set the temperature above 75 degrees. Various tamper-proofing mechanisms can be provided. As a default tamper-proofing mechanism, the landlord would be able to access the VSCU data service provider web site to ensure that the VSCU unit is reporting in at regular intervals with its usage data, to request weather data, and so forth.

For another embodiment, with reference to the hotel 1202 of FIG. 12, the VSCU data service provider 1208 can provide the hotel front desk with a web-based, cloud-based, or custom software package that provides automated, comprehensive, dynamic control of the VSCU unit temperature settings in each guest room. For example, the room VSCU temperature set point can be adjusted to comfortable levels when the guest first checks in, and then returned to energy-saving levels when the guest has checked out. Also, during the guest's stay, intrinsic occupancy detection (using the unit's own sensors) and/or extrinsic occupancy detection (automated sensing the door being locked from the inside by a hotel computer connected to the VSCU hotel management system) can be used to activate comfort levels versus power-saving levels. This can be similarly useful for vacation homes as remotely managed by property management companies.

Further provided by the VSCU units is an automated override or overwriting of template schedule set point levels or time interval definitions that the user may have manually specified to the VSCU unit, either by remote control or direct entry into the VSCU unit (such as during the setup interview), based on their actual control behaviors after those inputs were made. For example, if the user specified in the setup interview that they come home at 5 PM every day, but then there are multiple days in a row (for example, 2 days or 3 days in a row) that the temperature was turned up from 62 to 65 at 4:30 PM, this is used to weight the schedule and turn the set point up to 65 at 4:20 PM thereafter, such that the temperature will be preheated to 65 by 4:30 PMWhen the user is expected to walk through the door. The automatic changes made by the VSCU units to the template schedule to conform around the actual occupancy behavior of the user, rather than the user's own estimates of their occupancy behavior, can take place gradual over a period of many days, or can be immediately effective on a single day, without departing from the scope of the present teachings.

For another embodiment, the VSCU units are programmed and configured to automatically switch over from heating to cooling functionality by resolving any ambiguity in user intent based on sensed information. Part of the elegance of the VSCU unit 100 of FIGS. 1A-1C is the absence of a HEAT-OFF-AC switch. One issue raised by this is potential ambiguity regarding user intent in the event of certain user control inputs. For example, if the user changes the set point from 78 to 65, there may be an ambiguity whether they simply wanted to turn off the heat or whether they want to turn on the air conditioning. According to an embodiment, the VSCU units resolve an ambiguity whether to switch over depending on the context of the set point change and the values of the old and new set point. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: (a) maintaining an updated value for a drift temperature, defined as an estimated temperature to which the controlled space would drift if no HVAC heating or cooling were applied to the controlled space; (b) receiving the user set point change from an old set point to a new set point, (c) evaluating the values of the old set point and new set point in view of the current temperature and the drift temperature (for example, place them on a state diagram having three regions segregated by the current and drift temperatures) to classify the set point change in terms of whether a mode switchover (i.e., a switchover from heating to cooling or cooling to heating) was (i) clearly not intended, (ii) clearly intended, or (iii) possibly intended by the user in making the set point change; and (d) if classified in step (c) as “possibly intended”, and if the new set point lies between the current temperature and the drift temperature, request the user to choose between (i) an active switchover to achieve the new set point, and (ii) natural drifting to the new set point, along with a graphical illustration that the natural drifting option represents a more energy-saving option. Another related functionality is that whatever the user chooses in step (d), use this as a learning point and then the next time this happens, you can automatically make the determination based on what you learned from the user's choice. For this method, there can alternatively be a different parameter used instead of the drift temperature for the state diagram, for example, the outside temperature, the outside temperature plus 10 degrees, a “minimum comfort temperature”, or the like. It may be that in California the best number to use is the drift temperature, whereas in Minnesota it may be the minimum comfort temperature.

For some embodiments, which are particularly applicable in view of ongoing improvements in automated sensing, a personalized control paradigm is promoted by the VSCU units, that is, the VSCU units function to automatically detect and identify individual users in the home and attempt to identify their current and upcoming individual needs and desires with respect to VSCU-related functionality. For one example, the VSCU units are programmed with a “fingerprinting” functionality to recognize a particular user who is making a current control adjustment at the face of the unit, and then adjusting its response if appropriate for that user. For example, the particular way the user has turned the VSCU unit outer ring, or where they put their fingers on the VSCU unit dial or body (using touch sensors), how much pressure they exert for an inward click, and how close their body is to the VSCU unit dial (using a proximity sensor) can be used as their “fingerprint”. In one example, each user can be identified and initially “fingerprinted” in a separate question-and-answer session, and their personal preferences can thereafter be learned by virtue of their control inputs to the VSCU units from both remote locations and on the dial. At first, most of the fingerprinting can be done via user's commands from their mobile phone as well as the web. People will be controlling the thermostat a lot from their phone before getting home, or after they have left. Also, if they are somewhere else with an easier access to a computer (or even at home computer), they will use the web. Personalized control from VSCU units can be based on multiple maps of a “user comfort model” for the identified person. A model is built on what their preference/physical comfort zone is like. But if there are multiple users who have very different preferences, there may be a benefit in building two (or more) different models than to completely average them. The VSCU can learn to implement a comfortable temperature based on one model or the other based on who is at home, for example, based on which mobile device is at home (or other signatures) or which user is away by virtue of having accessed the system from a remote IP address. A web service can be used to inform these differences, which is informative to the user (and may result in the user telling their spouse to put on a sweater). For one concrete example of individualized occupancy detection and set point adjustment according to an embodiment, the VSCU units can make a conclusion that a first occupant “M” likes it cooler, while a second occupant “W” likes it warmer based on their settings and their remote and direct controls to the VSCU units. When the system determines that “W” is home and “M” is not at home, then the temperature is set higher, or otherwise follows a separate template schedule customized for “W”. The presence of “W” and the absence of “M” can be detected, for example, using IP traffic analysis methods to determine that “M” is still at work while the home is sensed to have an occupant, which must be “W”.

Provided according to some embodiments is a gesture-based user interface for the VSCU units. For one embodiment, a touch-sensitive display is provided in which sliding touch controls are enabled, similar to swipe controls and other gestures used by the iPad and iPhone. Alternatively, a small camera can be placed on the VSCU unit, which is programmed with the ability to process the optical input information such that it can recognize hand gestures (clockwise hand rotation to turn up the temperature, counterclockwise to turn down the temperature), similar to the way that the Microsoft Kinect™ sensor works in conjunction with the Xbox 360® video gaming console to provide controller-free, gesture-based user inputs (i.e., inputs based on hand, foot, or body motion without requiring the user to hold a controller device or to otherwise have a hardware input device on their person).

Provided according to some embodiments is an VSCU unit, which can function as either an auxiliary VSCU unit or primary VSCU unit, having a network-only user interface such that the physical unit itself has no controls whatsoever. The user must have a data appliance to access it and control it. The network-only VSCU unit may be useful for many situations such as college dormitories, or can be a very low-cost starter VSCU unit for a young but technically savvy apartment dweller.

Provided according to some embodiments is the use and functionality of installed VSCU units to serve as an HVAC-centric home energy hub based on the VSCU Energy Efficiency PlatformWith which many common home appliances will be compatible under license or other business arrangement with the VSCU unit manufacturer and/or VSCU data service provider. The VSCU units are functional as central “energy hub” for the whole house. The VSCU unit is a good way to instantiate such a “home energy network” because people need a thermostat anyway, and once it is installed it can be the core for such a network. For example, using wireless communications the VSCU unit can communicate with the dishwasher, or the refrigerator. If the user walks up to the dishwasher and attempts to start it, there can be a display on the dishwasher that says “Would you like to start the load now for $1, or wait until 2 AM and do the load for 20 cents?” The VSCU units serve and the conduit and core for such a platform. In one example of many advantages, with occupancy sensing the VSCU unit can sense when the occupants are not home, and automatically command the refrigerator to turn up its set point by 2 degrees, and then command it to return to normal after the VSCU has sensed that the occupants have returned. Similar functionalities can be provided in conjunction with any hot water heaters, hot tubs, pool heaters, and so forth that are equipped and licensed to be compatible with the VSCU Energy Efficiency Platform.

For some embodiments, business methods are provided for effective commercial introduction and rollout of the VSCU units and the evolution of the VSCU Efficiency Platform. At a start date of first product introduction, the simpler DIY packages of VSCU units are made available at a retail level including both online stores and brick-and-mortar stores. For buying a first primary VSCU unit, the customer gets free web access to the online tools of the VSCU data service provider (who can be the same entity as, or a partner entity to, the manufacturer of the VSCU unit), including for example the web-based remote control functionality as shown in FIGS. 13A-13B. A number of months into their usage, the web site shows the customer their energy usage and control history under the VSCU scheme, including how much money they have already saved because of their conversion. A number of months from the start date, the “professional” package VSCU units are released and professional installation made available, the first auxiliary units are made available, and fee-based subscriptions are made available to all users to a web-based service that provides themWith opportunities for additional savings, such as to give them access to use special energy-saving schedule templates that have been developed based on more accurate building information, patterns detected in their particular occupancy history, or the particular weather history/forecasts around that home. Also a number of months from the start date, each user is provided with a reminder that they can save even more money by buying an auxiliary VSCU unit, and the above-described filter replacement program is also rolled out. Also a number of months from the start date, the users can get game-style rankings, including leaf icon rewards, of how they are doing in their neighborhood, or against some other population, with respect to energy efficiency. For example, the user can be presented with their percentile ranking against that population. They can try to be the number one with the most green leafs in that population. Web-based or cloud-based software that facilitates multi-tenant building control and hotel control can subsequently be rolled out. At a later point when there is enough user mass, the VSCU data service provider can provide web-based or cloud-based software to become a VSCU Efficiency Platform facilitator for utility companies, i.e., the utility companies will be clients of the VSCU data service provider, who will help themWho can offer programs or services based on the VSCU Efficiency Platform. For one embodiment, the utility company will encourage its customers to switch over to VSCU unit-based control, for example by heavily subsidizing purchase of the VSCU units. Optionally, the utility company can offer energy discounts or other financial incentives for VSCU unit-based customers to “opt in” to a program that gives the utility company at least some degree of remote control over their VSCU units during times of peak loads or energy emergencies.

Provided in one embodiment is a filterless HVAC system. Instead of using a disposable filter, which can reduce HVAC efficiency when it starts to get clogged, the HVAC system is equipped with a filtering system similar to those used in one or more bagless vacuum cleaners and identified by various trade names such as “cyclonic” or “tornado” or “wind tunnel”, for example the Dyson DC25 Upright Vacuum cleaner, the Hoover Windtunnel II Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner, the Bissell 5770 Healthy Home Bagless Upright Vacuum, the Electrolux EL 7055A Twin Clean Bagless Canister Vacuum, and/or the Hoover UH70010 Platinum Collection Cyclonic Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner. By designing the filter out of the HVAC system altogether, the homeowner simply needs to change a canister once in a while, and the HVAC system does not lose efficiency over time like a regular filter does.

Provided in some embodiments are VSCU units into which are integrally provided other essential home monitoring device functionalities combined smoke detection, heat detection, motion detection, and CO2 detection. As an optional business method, such VSCU units can be sold at a deep discount or given away for free, with revenue being generated instead by subscriptions to the data services of the VSCU data service provider. Alternatively, they can be given away for free or heavily subsidized by a utility company that is partnered with the VSCU data service provider in exchange for customer “opt in” to voluntary data collection and/or remote VSCU setting programs applicable during periods of energy shortage or other energy emergency.

Provided according to some embodiments are algorithms for automated set point determination based on a set point temperature schedule and manual user set point modifications. As an ongoing rule for any manual user set point change, any set point entered by the user at a primary or auxiliary VSCU user interface will take effect for a maximum of four hours, at which point operation is then returned to the normal set point schedule. In the event that the normal set point schedule would call for a scheduled temperature change within that four hour interval (for example, a scheduled change to a sleeping temperature at 10:00 PM), then that scheduled temperature set point overrides the manual user set point input at that time.

Provided according to some embodiments are algorithms for set point schedule departure and/or set point schedule modification based on sensed enclosure occupancy and user set point modification behaviors. One example of such a set point schedule departure algorithm, termed herein an “auto away/auto arrival” algorithm, is described further hereinbelow.

FIGS. 15A-15D illustrate time plots of a normal set point temperature schedule versus an actual operating set point plot corresponding to an exemplary operation of an “auto away/auto arrival” algorithm according to a preferred embodiment. Shown in FIG. 15A, for purposes of clarity of disclosure, is a relatively simple exemplary thermostat schedule 1502 for a particular weekday, such as a Tuesday, for a user (perhaps a retiree, or a stay-at-home parent with young children). The schedule 1502 simply consists of an awake/at home interval between 7:00 AM and 9:00 PM for which the desired temperature is 76 degrees, and a sleeping interval between 9:00 PM and 7:00 AM for which the desired temperature is 66 degrees. For purposes of the instant description, the schedule 1502 can be termed the “normal” set point schedule. The normal set point schedule 1502 could have been established by any of a variety of methods described previously in the instant disclosure, described previously in one or more of the commonly assigned incorporated applications, or by some other method. For example, the normal set point schedule 1502 could have been established explicitly by direct user programming (e.g., using the Web interface), by setup interview in which the set point schedule is “snapped” into one of a plurality of predetermined schedules (e.g., retiree, working couple without kids, single city dweller, etc.), by automated learning based on user set point modifications from a “flatline” starting schedule, or by any of a variety of other methods.

In accordance with a preferred “auto away” algorithm, an enclosure occupancy state is continuously and automatically sensed using the VSCU multi-sensing technology, the currently sensed state being classified as occupied (or “home” or “activity sensed”) or unoccupied (or “away” or “inactive”). If the currently sensed occupancy state has been “inactive” for a predetermined minimum interval, termed herein an away-state confidence window (ASCW), then an “auto-away” mode of operation is triggered in which an actual operating set point 1504 is changed to a predetermined energy-saving away-state temperature (AST), regardless of the set point temperature indicated by the normal thermostat schedule 1502. The purpose of the “auto away” mode of operation is to avoid unnecessary heating or cooling when there are no occupants present to actually experience or enjoy the comfort settings of the schedule 1502, thereby saving energy. The AST may be set, by way of example, to a default predetermined value of 62 degrees for winter periods (or outside temperatures that would call for heating) and 84 degrees for summer periods (or outside temperatures that would call for cooling). Optionally, the AST temperatures for heating and cooling can be user-settable.

The away-state confidence window (ASCW) corresponds to a time interval of sensed non-occupancy after which a reasonably reliable operating assumption can be made, with a reasonable degree of statistical accuracy, such that there are indeed no occupants in the enclosure. For most typical enclosures, it has been found that a predetermined period in the range of 90-180 minutes is a suitable period for the ASCW, to accommodate for common situations such as quiet book reading, stepping out to the corner mailbox, short naps, etc. in which there is no sensed movement or related indication for the occupancy sensors to sense.

In the example of FIG. 15A-15D, exemplary description is provided in the context of a heating scenario with an ASCW of 120 minutes, and an AST of 62 degrees, with it to be understood that counterpart examples for cooling and for other ASCW/AST value selection would be apparent to a person skilled in the art in view of the present description and are within the scope of the embodiments. Shown for purposes of illustration in FIG. 15B is the scheduled set point plot 1502 and actual operating set point plot 1504, along with a sensed activity timeline (A_(S)) showing small black oval markers corresponding to sensed activity, that is current as of 11:00 AM. Notably, as of 11:00 AM, there was significant user activity sensed up until 10:00 AM, followed by a one-hour interval 1506 of inactivity. Shown in FIG. 15C are the scheduled and actual set point plots as of 4:00 PM. As illustrated in FIG. 15C, an “auto-away” mode was triggered at 12:00 PM after 120 minutes of inactivity, the actual operating set point 1504 departing from the normal scheduled set point 1502 to the AST temperature of 62 degrees. As of 4:00 PM, no activity has yet been sensed subsequent to the triggering of the “auto-away” mode, and therefore the “auto-away” mode remains in effect.

The “auto-away” mode can be terminated based on sensed events, the passage of time, and/or other triggers that are consistent with its essential purpose, the essential purpose being to save energy when no occupant, to a reasonably high statistical degree of probability, are present in the enclosure. For one embodiment, the “auto-away” mode of operation maintains the set point temperature at the energy-saving AST temperature until one of the following occurs: (i) a manual corrective input is received from the user; (ii) an “auto-return” mode of operation is triggered based on sensed occupancy activity; (iii) normal occupant sleeping hours have arrived and a determination for a “vacation” mode has not yet been reached; or (iv) the subsequent day's “wake” or “at home” interval has arrived and a determination for a “vacation” mode has not yet been reached.

Thus, shown in FIG. 15D is are the scheduled and actual set point plots as of 12:00 AM. As illustrated in FIG. 15D, occupancy activity started to be sensed for a brief time interval 1508 at about 5 PM, which triggered the “auto-return” mode, at which point the actual operating set point 1504 was returned to the normal set point schedule 1502.

Preferably, the user is provided with an ability (e.g., during initial setup interview, by the Web interface, etc.) to vary the ASCW according to a desired energy saving aggressiveness. For example, a user who selects a “highly aggressive” energy saving option can be provided with an ASCW of 45 minutes, with the result being that the system's “auto-away” determination will be made after only 45 minutes of inactivity (or “away” or “unoccupied” sensing state).

Various methods for sub-windowing of the ASCW time period and filtering of sensed activity can be used to improve the reliability of the triggering of the “auto-away” mode. Various learning methods for “understanding” whether sensed activity is associated with human presence versus other causes (pets, for example) can also be used to improve the reliability of the triggering of the “auto-away” mode. For one embodiment, a “background” level of sensed activity (i.e., activity that can be attributed to sensed events that are not the result of human occupancy) can be interactively learned and/or confirmed based on the absence of corrective manual set point inputs during an “auto-away” mode period. For example, if there are no corrective manual set point changes for a period of time following after the “auto-away” mode is triggered, and such absence of corrective input repeats itself on several different occasions, then it can be concluded that the type and/or degree of sensed activity associated with those intervals can be confirmed as being “background” levels not associated with human presence, the reasoning being that if a human were indeed present, there would have been some type of corrective activity on one or more of such occasions.

In a manner similar to the “auto-away” occupancy evaluation, the triggering of an “auto-return” mode of operation is likewise preferably based on sub-windowed time windows and/or filtering of the sensed activity, such that spurious events or other events not associated with actual human presence do not unnecessarily trigger the “auto-return” mode. For one example, the sensing process involves separately evaluating 5-minute subwindows (or subwindows of other suitable duration) of time in terms of the presence or absence of sensed activity during those subwindows. If it is found that a threshold amount of activity is sensed in two adjacent ones of those time subwindows, then the “auto-return” mode is triggered (see, for example, the time interval 1508 of FIG. 15D). Upon triggering, the “auto-return” mode operates by returning the set point to the normal set point schedule 1502.

Provided according to one embodiment is an algorithm for set point schedule modification based on occupancy patterns and/or corrective manual input patterns associated with repeated instances of “auto-away” mode and/or “auto-arrival” mode operation. Occupancy and/or corrective manual input behaviors associated with “auto-away/auto-arrival” mode are continuously monitored and filtered at multiple degrees of time periodicity in order to detect patterns in user occupancy that can, in turn, be leveraged to “trim” or otherwise “tune” the set point temperature schedule to better match actual occupancy patterns. By filtering at multiple levels of time periodicity, it is meant that associated patterns are simultaneously sought (i) on a contiguous calendar day basis, (ii) on a weekday by weekday basis, (iii) on a weekend-day by weekend-day basis, (iv) on a day-of-month by day-of-month basis, and/or on the basis of any other grouping of days that can be logically linked in terms of user behavior. Thus, for example, if a particular occupancy and/or corrective manual input behavior associated with “auto-away/auto-arrival” is observed for a series of successive Fridays, then the set point temperature schedule for Fridays is adjusted to better match the indicated occupancy pattern. If a particular occupancy and/or corrective manual input behavior associated with “auto-away/auto-arrival” is observed for both a Saturday and Sunday, and then for the next Saturday and Sunday, and then still for the following Saturday and Sunday, then the set point temperature schedule for Saturdays and Sundays is adjusted to better match the indicated occupancy pattern detected. As yet another example, if a particular occupancy and/or corrective manual input behavior associated with “auto-away/auto-arrival” is observed for the 2^(nd) through 7^(th) day of the month for several months in a row, then the set point temperature schedule for the 2^(nd) through 7^(th) day of the month is adjusted, and so on.

FIGS. 16A-16D illustrate one example of set point schedule modification based on occupancy patterns and/or corrective manual input patterns associated with repeated instances of “auto-away” mode and/or “auto-arrival” mode operation according to an embodiment. For this example, it is observed over time that, for a user whose normal set point temperature indicates they are home all day on weekdays, the “auto-away” mode is triggered near noon on Wednesday for multiple weeks (FIGS. 16A-16C) without any corrective manual user inputs, and then the “auto-arrival” mode is triggered near 5:00 PM for those days. This may correspond, for example, to a retiree who has decided to volunteer at the local library on Wednesdays. Once this pattern has been reliably established (for example, after having occurred three Wednesdays in a row), then as illustrated in FIG. 16D, the normal set point temperature schedule is automatically “tuned” or “trimmed” such that, for the following Wednesday and all Wednesdays thereafter, there is an “away” period scheduled for the interval between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM, because it is now expected that the user will indeed be away for this time interval.

Importantly, if there had occurred a corrective user input (which can be called a “punishing” user input) on one of the days illustrated in FIGS. 16A-16C, then the set point schedule is not automatically “tuned” to that shown in FIG. 16D. Such corrective or “punishing” input could occur for circumstances in which (i) the auto-away mode has been triggered, (ii) there is not enough sensed occupancy activity (after filtering for “background” events) to trigger the “auto-return” mode, and (iii) the user is becoming uncomfortable and has walked up to the thermostat to turn up the temperature. By way of example, it may be the case that instead of going to the library on Wednesday at 10:00 AM, the user went upstairs to read a book, with a sole first-floor VSCU unit not sensing their presence and triggering auto-away at 12:00 PM, the user then becoming uncomfortable at about 12:45 PM and then coming downstairs to manually turn up the temperature. Because the user's “punishing” input has made it clear that the algorithm is “barking up the wrong tree” for this potential pattern, the set point schedule is not automatically “tuned” to that shown in FIG. 16D, and, in one embodiment, this potential pattern is at least partially weighted in the negative direction such that an even higher degree of correlation will be needed in order to establish such pattern in the future. Advantageously, for the more general case, the user's “punishing” inputs may also be used to adjust the type and/or degree of filtering that is applied to the occupancy sensing algorithms, because there has clearly been an incorrect conclusion of “inactivity” sensed for time interval leading up to the “punishing” corrective input.

Whereas the “auto away/auto arrival” algorithm of the above-described embodiments is triggered by currently sensed occupancy information, in another embodiment there is provided automated self-triggering of “auto away/auto arrival” algorithm based on an empirical occupancy probability time profile that has been built up by the VSCU unit(s) over an extended period of time. For one embodiment, the empirical occupancy probability time profile can be expressed as a time plot of a scalar value (an empirical occupancy probability or EOP) representative of the probability that one or more humans is occupying the enclosure at each particular point in time. Any of a variety of other expressions (e.g., probability distribution functions) or random variable representations that reflect occupancy statistics and/or probabilities can alternatively be used rather than using a single scalar metric for the EOP.

For one embodiment, the VSCU unit is configured to self-trigger into an “auto-away” mode at one or times during the day that meet the following criteria: (i) the normal set point schedule is indicative of a scheduled “at home” time interval, (ii) the empirical occupancy probability (EOP) is below a predetermined threshold value (e.g., less than 20%), (iii) the occupancy sensors do not sense a large amount of activity that would unambiguously indicate that human occupants are indeed present in the enclosure, and (iv) the occupancy sensors have not yet sensed a low enough level of activity for a sufficiently long interval (i.e., the away-state confidence window or ASCW) to enter into the “auto away” mode in the “conventional” manner previously described. Once these conditions are met and the “auto-away” mode has been self-triggered, reversion out of the “auto away” mode can proceed in the same manner (e.g., by “auto-arrival” triggering, manual corrective user input, etc.) as for the “conventional” auto-away mode. Automated tuning of the set point temperature schedule based on the “lessons learned” (i.e., based on occupancy patterns and/or corrective manual input patterns associated with repeated instances of “auto-away” mode) can be based on the combined observations from the “conventionally” triggered auto-away mode and the self-triggered auto-away mode algorithms.

The above-described self-triggering of the “auto-away” mode, which is based at least in part on empirical occupancy probability (EOP), has been found to provide for more complete and more statistically precise “tuning” of the set point temperature schedule when capered to tuning that is based only on the “conventional” auto-away triggering method in which only current, instantaneous occupancy information is considered. One reason relates to the large number of activity-sensing data samples used in generating the EOP metric, making it a relevant and useful basis upon which to perform the occupancy “test” afforded by the “auto-away” process. From one perspective, the “auto-away” process can be thought of as a way to automatically “poke” or “prod” at the user's ecosystem to learn more detail about their occupancy patterns, without needing to ask them detailed questions, without needing to rely on the correctness of their responses, and furthermore without needing to rely exclusively on the instantaneous accuracy of the occupancy sensing hardware.

FIGS. 17A-D illustrates a dynamic user interface for encouraging reduced energy use according to a preferred embodiment. The method of FIGS. 17A-D are preferably incorporated into the time-to-temperature user interface method of FIGS. 3A-3K, supra, although the scope of the present teachings is not so limited. As would be readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, although disclosed in FIGS. 17A-17D in the heating context, application to the counterpart cooling context would be apparent to one skilled in the art in view of the present disclosure and is within the scope of the present teachings. Where, as in FIG. 17A, the heating set point is currently set to a value known to be within a first range known to be good or appropriate for energy conservation, a pleasing positive-reinforcement icon such as the green leaf 1742 is displayed. As the user turns up the heat (see FIG. 17B) the green leaf continues to be displayed as long as the set point remains in that first range. However, as the user continues to turn up the set point to a value greater than the first range (see FIG. 17C), there is displayed a negatively reinforcing icon indicative of alarm, consternation, concern, or other somewhat negative emotion, such icon being, for example, a flashing red version 1742′ of the leaf, or a picture of a smokestack, or the like. It is believed that the many users will respond to the negatively reinforcing icon 1742′ by turning the set point back down, and as illustrated in FIG. 17D, if the user returns the set point to a value lying in the first range, they are “rewarded” by the return of the green leaf 1742. Many other types of positive-emotion icons or displays can be used in place of the green leaf 1742, and likewise many different negatively reinforcing icons or displays can be used in place of the flashing red leaf 1742′, while remaining within the scope of the present teachings.

FIGS. 18A-B illustrate a thermostat 1800 having a user-friendly interface, according to some embodiments. The term “thermostat” is used hereinbelow to represent a particular type of VSCU unit (Versatile Sensing and Control) that is particularly applicable for HVAC control in an enclosure. Although “thermostat” and “VSCU unit” may be seen as generally interchangeable for the contexts of HVAC control of an enclosure, it is within the scope of the present teachings for each of the embodiments hereinabove and hereinbelow to be applied to VSCU units having control functionality over measurable characteristics other than temperature (e.g., pressure, flow rate, height, position, velocity, acceleration, capacity, power, loudness, brightness) for any of a variety of different control systems involving the governance of one or more measurable characteristics of one or more physical systems, and/or the governance of other energy or resource consuming systems such as water usage systems, air usage systems, systems involving the usage of other natural resources, and systems involving the usage of various other forms of energy. Unlike many prior art thermostats, thermostat 1800 preferably has a sleek, simple, uncluttered and elegant design that does not detract from home decoration, and indeed can serve as a visually pleasing centerpiece for the immediate location in which it is installed. Moreover, user interaction with thermostat 1800 is facilitated and greatly enhanced over known conventional thermostats by the design of thermostat 1800. The thermostat 1800 includes control circuitry and is electrically connected to an HVAC system, such as is shown with thermostat 110 in FIGS. 1 and 2. Thermostat 1800 is wall mounted, is circular in shape, and has an outer rotatable ring 1812 for receiving user input. Thermostat 1800 is circular in shape in that it appears as a generally disk-like circular object when mounted on the wall. Thermostat 1800 has a large front face lying inside the outer ring 1812. According to some embodiments, thermostat 1800 is approximately 80 mm in diameter. The outer rotatable ring 1812 allows the user to make adjustments, such as selecting a new target temperature. For example, by rotating the outer ring 1812 clockwise, the target temperature can be increased, and by rotating the outer ring 1812 counter-clockwise, the target temperature can be decreased. The front face of the thermostat 1800 comprises a clear cover 1814 that according to some embodiments is polycarbonate, and a metallic portion 1824 preferably having a number of slots formed therein as shown. According to some embodiments, the surface of cover 1814 and metallic portion 1824 form a common outward arc or spherical shape gently arcing outward, and this gentle arcing shape is continued by the outer ring 1812.

Although being formed from a single lens-like piece of material such as polycarbonate, the cover 1814 has two different regions or portions including an outer portion 1814 o and a central portion 1814 i. According to some embodiments, the cover 1814 is painted or smoked around the outer portion 18140, but leaves the central portion 1814 i visibly clear so as to facilitate viewing of an electronic display 1816 disposed thereunderneath. According to some embodiments, the curved cover 1814 acts as a lens that tends to magnify the information being displayed in electronic display 1816 to users. According to some embodiments the central electronic display 1816 is a dot-matrix layout (individually addressable) such that arbitrary shapes can be generated, rather than being a segmented layout. According to some embodiments, a combination of dot-matrix layout and segmented layout is employed. According to some embodiments, central display 1816 is a backlit color liquid crystal display (LCD). An example of information displayed on the electronic display 1816 is illustrated in FIG. 18A, and includes central numerals 1820 that are representative of a current set point temperature. According to some embodiments, metallic portion 1824 has number of slot-like openings so as to facilitate the use of a passive infrared motion sensor 1830 mounted therebeneath. The metallic portion 1824 can alternatively be termed a metallic front grille portion. Further description of the metallic portion/front grille portion is provided in the commonly assigned U.S. Ser. No. 13/199,108, supra. The thermostat 1800 is preferably constructed such that the electronic display 1816 is at a fixed orientation and does not rotate with the outer ring 1812, so that the electronic display 1816 remains easily read by the user. For some embodiments, the cover 1814 and metallic portion 1824 also remain at a fixed orientation and do not rotate with the outer ring 1812. According to one embodiment in which the diameter of the thermostat 1800 is about 80 mm, the diameter of the electronic display 1816 is about 45 mm. According to some embodiments an LED indicator 1880 is positioned beneath portion 1824 to act as a low-power-consuming indicator of certain status conditions. For, example the LED indicator 1880 can be used to display blinking red when a rechargeable battery of the thermostat (see FIG. 4A, infra) is very low and is being recharged. More generally, the LED indicator 1880 can be used for communicating one or more status codes or error codes by virtue of red color, green color, various combinations of red and green, various different blinking rates, and so forth, which can be useful for troubleshooting purposes.

Motion sensing as well as other techniques can be use used in the detection and/or predict of occupancy, as is described further in the commonly assigned U.S. Ser. No. 12/881,430, supra. According to some embodiments, occupancy information is used in generating an effective and efficient scheduled program. Preferably, an active proximity sensor 1870A is provided to detect an approaching user by infrared light reflection, and an ambient light sensor 1870B is provided to sense visible light. The proximity sensor 1870A can be used to detect proximity in the range of about one meter so that the thermostat 1800 can initiate “waking up” when the user is approaching the thermostat and prior to the user touching the thermostat. Such use of proximity sensing is useful for enhancing the user experience by being “ready” for interaction as soon as, or very soon after the user is ready to interact with the thermostat. Further, the wake-up-on-proximity functionality also allows for energy savings within the thermostat by “sleeping” when no user interaction is taking place our about to take place. The ambient light sensor 1870B can be used for a variety of intelligence-gathering purposes, such as for facilitating confirmation of occupancy when sharp rising or falling edges are detected (because it is likely that there are occupants who are turning the lights on and off), and such as for detecting long term (e.g., 24-hour) patterns of ambient light intensity for confirming and/or automatically establishing the time of day.

According to some embodiments, for the combined purposes of inspiring user confidence and further promoting visual and functional elegance, the thermostat 1800 is controlled by only two types of user input, the first being a rotation of the outer ring 1812 as shown in FIG. 18A (referenced hereafter as a “rotate ring” or “ring rotation” input), and the second being an inward push on an outer cap 1808 (see FIG. 18B) until an audible and/or tactile “click” occurs (referenced hereafter as an “inward click” or simply “click” input). For the embodiment of FIGS. 18A-18B, the outer cap 1808 is an assembly that includes all of the outer ring 1812, cover 1814, electronic display 1816, and metallic portion 1824. When pressed inwardly by the user, the outer cap 1808 travels inwardly by a small amount, such as 0.5 mm, against an interior metallic dome switch (not shown), and then springably travels back outwardly by that same amount when the inward pressure is released, providing a satisfying tactile “click” sensation to the user's hand, along with a corresponding gentle audible clicking sound. Thus, for the embodiment of FIGS. 18A-18B, an inward click can be achieved by direct pressing on the outer ring 1812 itself, or by indirect pressing of the outer ring by virtue of providing inward pressure on the cover 1814, metallic portion 1814, or by various combinations thereof. For other embodiments, the thermostat 1800 can be mechanically configured such that only the outer ring 1812 travels inwardly for the inward click input, while the cover 1814 and metallic portion 1824 remain motionless. It is to be appreciated that a variety of different selections and combinations of the particular mechanical elements that will travel inwardly to achieve the “inward click” input are within the scope of the present teachings, whether it be the outer ring 1812 itself, some part of the cover 1814, or some combination thereof. However, it has been found particularly advantageous to provide the user with an ability to quickly go back and forth between registering “ring rotations” and “inward clicks” with a single hand and with minimal amount of time and effort involved, and so the ability to provide an inward click directly by pressing the outer ring 1812 has been found particularly advantageous, since the user's fingers do not need to be lifted out of contact with the device, or slid along its surface, in order to go between ring rotations and inward clicks. Moreover, by virtue of the strategic placement of the electronic display 1816 centrally inside the rotatable ring 1812, a further advantage is provided in that the user can naturally focus their attention on the electronic display throughout the input process, right in the middle of where their hand is performing its functions. The combination of intuitive outer ring rotation, especially as applied to (but not limited to) the changing of a thermostat's set point temperature, conveniently folded together with the satisfying physical sensation of inward clicking, together with accommodating natural focus on the electronic display in the central midst of their fingers' activity, adds significantly to an intuitive, seamless, and downright fun user experience. Further descriptions of advantageous mechanical user-interfaces and related designs, which are employed according to some embodiments, can be found in U.S. Ser. No. 13/033,573, supra, U.S. Ser. No. 29/386,021, supra, and U.S. Ser. No. 13/199,108, supra.

FIG. 18C illustrates a cross-sectional view of a shell portion 1809 of a frame of the thermostat of FIGS. 18A-B, which has been found to provide a particularly pleasing and adaptable visual appearance of the overall thermostat 1800 when viewed against a variety of different wall colors and wall textures in a variety of different home environments and home settings. While the thermostat itself will functionally adapt to the user's schedule as described herein and in one or more of the commonly assigned incorporated applications, supra, the outer shell portion 1809 is specially configured to convey a “chameleon” quality or characteristic such that the overall device appears to naturally blend in, in a visual and decorative sense, with many of the most common wall colors and wall textures found in home and business environments, at least in part because it will appear to assume the surrounding colors and even textures when viewed from many different angles. The shell portion 1809 has the shape of a frustum that is gently curved when viewed in cross-section, and comprises a sidewall 1876 that is made of a clear solid material, such as polycarbonate plastic. The sidewall 1876 is backpainted with a substantially flat silver- or nickel-colored paint, the paint being applied to an inside surface 1878 of the sidewall 1876 but not to an outside surface 1877 thereof. The outside surface 1877 is smooth and glossy but is not painted. The sidewall 1876 can have a thickness T of about 1.5 mm, a diameter dl of about 78.8 mm at a first end that is nearer to the wall when mounted, and a diameter d2 of about 81.2 mm at a second end that is farther from the wall when mounted, the diameter change taking place across an outward width dimension “h” of about 22.5 mm, the diameter change taking place in either a linear fashion or, more preferably, a slightly nonlinear fashion with increasing outward distance to form a slightly curved shape when viewed in profile, as shown in FIG. 18C. The outer ring 1812 of outer cap 1808 is preferably constructed to match the diameter d2 where disposed near the second end of the shell portion 1809 across a modestly sized gap g1 therefrom, and then to gently arc back inwardly to meet the cover 1814 across a small gap g2. It is to be appreciated, of course, that FIG. 18C only illustrates the outer shell portion 1809 of the thermostat 1800, and that there are many electronic components internal thereto that are omitted from FIG. 18C for clarity of presentation, such electronic components being described further hereinbelow and/or in other ones of the commonly assigned incorporated applications, such as U.S. Ser. No. 13/199,108, supra.

According to some embodiments, the thermostat 1800 includes a processing system 1860, display driver 1864 and a wireless communications system 1866. The processing system 1860 is adapted to cause the display driver 1864 and display area 1816 to display information to the user, and to receiver user input via the rotatable ring 1812. The processing system 1860, according to some embodiments, is capable of carrying out the governance of the operation of thermostat 1800 including the user interface features described herein. The processing system 1860 is further programmed and configured to carry out other operations as described further hereinbelow and/or in other ones of the commonly assigned incorporated applications. For example, processing system 1860 is further programmed and configured to maintain and update a thermodynamic model for the enclosure in which the HVAC system is installed, such as described in U.S. Ser. No. 12/881,463, supra. According to some embodiments, the wireless communications system 1866 is used to communicate with devices such as personal computers and/or other thermostats or HVAC system components, which can be peer-to-peer communications, communications through one or more servers located on a private network, or and/or communications through a cloud-based service.

FIGS. 19A-19B illustrate exploded front and rear perspective views, respectively, of the thermostat 1800 with respect to its two main components, which are the head unit 1900 and the back plate 2000. Further technical and/or functional descriptions of various ones of the electrical and mechanical components illustrated hereinbelow can be found in one or more of the commonly assigned incorporated applications, such as U.S. Ser. No. 13/199,108, supra. In the drawings shown, the “z” direction is outward from the wall, the “y” direction is the head-to-toe direction relative to a walk-up user, and the “x” direction is the user's left-to-right direction.

FIGS. 20A-20B illustrate exploded front and rear perspective views, respectively, of the head unit 1900 with respect to its primary components. Head unit 1900 includes a head unit frame 1910, the outer ring 1920 (which is manipulated for ring rotations), a head unit frontal assembly 1930, a front lens 1980, and a front grille 1990. Electrical components on the head unit frontal assembly 1930 can connect to electrical components on the backplate 2000 by virtue of ribbon cables and/or other plug type electrical connectors.

FIGS. 21A-21B illustrate exploded front and rear perspective views, respectively, of the head unit frontal assembly 1930 with respect to its primary components. Head unit frontal assembly 1930 comprises a head unit circuit board 1940, a head unit front plate 1950, and an LCD module 1960. The components of the front side of head unit circuit board 1940 are hidden behind an RF shield in FIG. 21A but are discussed in more detail below with respect to FIG. 24. On the back of the head unit circuit board 1940 is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery 1944, which for one preferred embodiment has a nominal voltage of 3.7 volts and a nominal capacity of 560 mAh. To extend battery life, however, the battery 1944 is normally not charged beyond 450 mAh by the thermostat battery charging circuitry. Moreover, although the battery 1944 is rated to be capable of being charged to 4.2 volts, the thermostat battery charging circuitry normally does not charge it beyond 3.95 volts. Also visible in FIG. 21B is an optical finger navigation module 1942 that is configured and positioned to sense rotation of the outer ring 1920. The module 1942 uses methods analogous to the operation of optical computer mice to sense the movement of a texturable surface on a facing periphery of the outer ring 1920. Notably, the module 1942 is one of the very few sensors that is controlled by the relatively power-intensive head unit microprocessor rather than the relatively low-power backplate microprocessor. This is achievable without excessive power drain implications because the head unit microprocessor will invariably be awake already when the user is manually turning the dial, so there is no excessive wake-up power drain anyway. Advantageously, very fast response can also be provided by the head unit microprocessor. Also visible in FIG. 21A is a Fresnel lens 1957 that operates in conjunction with a PIR motion sensor disposes thereunderneath.

FIGS. 22A-22B illustrate exploded front and rear perspective views, respectively, of the backplate unit 2000 with respect to its primary components. Backplate unit 2000 comprises a backplate rear plate 2010, a backplate circuit board 2020, and a backplate cover 2080. Visible in FIG. 22A are the HVAC wire connectors 2022 that include integrated wire insertion sensing circuitry, and two relatively large capacitors 2024 that are used by part of the power stealing circuitry that is mounted on the back side of the backplate circuit board 2020 and discussed further below with respect to FIG. 25.

FIG. 23 illustrates a perspective view of a partially assembled head unit front 1900 showing the positioning of grille member 1990 designed in accordance with aspects of the present invention with respect to several sensors used by the thermostat. In some implementations, as described further in U.S. Ser. No. 13/199,108, supra, placement of grille member 1990 over the Fresnel lens 1957 and an associated PIR motion sensor 334 conceals and protects these PIR sensing elements, while horizontal slots in the grille member 1990 allow the PIR motion sensing hardware, despite being concealed, to detect the lateral motion of occupants in a room or area. A temperature sensor 330 uses a pair of thermal sensors to more accurately measure ambient temperature. A first or upper thermal sensor 330 a associated with temperature sensor 330 tends to gather temperature data closer to the area outside or on the exterior of the thermostat while a second or lower thermal sensor 330 b tends to collect temperature data more closely associated with the interior of the housing. In one implementation, each of the temperature sensors 330 a and 330 b comprises a Texas Instruments TMP112 digital temperature sensor chip, while the PIR motion sensor 334 comprises PerkinElmer DigiPyro PYD 1998 dual element pyrodetector.

To more accurately determine the ambient temperature, the temperature taken from the lower thermal sensor 330 b is taken into consideration in view of the temperatures measured by the upper thermal sensor 330 a and when determining the effective ambient temperature. This configuration can advantageously be used to compensate for the effects of internal heat produced in the thermostat by the microprocessor(s) and/or other electronic components therein, thereby obviating or minimizing temperature measurement errors that might otherwise be suffered. In some implementations, the accuracy of the ambient temperature measurement may be further enhanced by thermally coupling upper thermal sensor 330 a of temperature sensor 330 to grille member 1990 as the upper thermal sensor 330 a better reflects the ambient temperature than lower thermal sensor 334 b. Details on using a pair of thermal sensors to determine an effective ambient temperature is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,741,476, which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIG. 24 illustrates a head-on view of the head unit circuit board 1940, which comprises a head unit microprocessor 2402 (such as a Texas Instruments AM3703 chip) and an associated oscillator 2404, along with DDR SDRAM memory 2406, and mass NAND storage 2408. For Wi-Fi capability, there is provided in a separate compartment of RF shielding 2434 a Wi-Fi module 2410, such as a Murata Wireless Solutions LBWA19XSLZ module, which is based on the Texas Instruments WL1270 chipset supporting the 802.11b/g/n WLAN standard. For the Wi-Fi module 2410 is supporting circuitry 2412 including an oscillator 2414. For ZigBee capability, there is provided also in a separately shielded RF compartment a ZigBee module 2416, which can be, for example, a C2530F256 module from Texas Instruments. For the ZigBee module 2416 there is provided supporting circuitry 2418 including an oscillator 2419 and a low-noise amplifier 2420. Also provided is display backlight voltage conversion circuitry 2422, piezoelectric driving circuitry 2424, and power management circuitry 2426 (local power rails, etc.). Provided on a flex circuit 2428 that attaches to the back of the head unit circuit board by a flex circuit connector 2430 is a proximity and ambient light sensor (PROX/ALS), more particularly a Silicon Labs SI1142 Proximity/Ambient Light Sensor with an I2C Interface. Also provided is battery charging-supervision-disconnect circuitry 2432, and spring/RF antennas 2436. Also provided is a temperature sensor 2438 (rising perpendicular to the circuit board in the +z direction containing two separate temperature sensing elements at different distances from the circuit board), and a PIR motion sensor 2440. Notably, even though the PROX/ALS and temperature sensors 2438 and PIR motion sensor 2440 are physically located on the head unit circuit board 1940, all these sensors are polled and controlled by the low-power backplate microcontroller on the backplate circuit board, to which they are electrically connected.

FIG. 25 illustrates a rear view of the backplate circuit board 2020, comprising a backplate processor/microcontroller 2502, such as a Texas Instruments MSP430F System-on-Chip Microcontroller that includes an on-board memory 2503. The backplate circuit board 2020 further comprises power supply circuitry 2504, which includes power-stealing circuitry, and switch circuitry 2506 for each HVAC respective HVAC function. For each such function the switch circuitry 2506 includes an isolation transformer 2508 and a back-to-back NFET package 2510. The use of FETs in the switching circuitry allows for “active power stealing”, i.e., taking power during the HVAC “ON” cycle, by briefly diverting power from the HVAC relay circuit to the reservoir capacitors for a very small interval, such as 100 micro-seconds. This time is small enough not to trip the HVAC relay into the “off” state but is sufficient to charge up the reservoir capacitors. The use of FETs allows for this fast switching time (100 micro-seconds), which would be difficult to achieve using relays (which stay on for tens of milliseconds). Also, such relays would readily degrade doing this kind of fast switching, and they would also make audible noise too. In contrast, the FETS operate with essentially no audible noise. Also provided is a combined temperature/humidity sensor module 2512, such as a Sensirion SHT21 module. The backplate microcontroller 2502 performs polling of the various sensors, sensing for mechanical wire insertion at installation, alerting the head unit regarding current vs. set point temperature conditions and actuating the switches accordingly, and other functions such as looking for appropriate signal on the inserted wire at installation.

In accordance with the teachings of the commonly assigned U.S. Ser. No. 13/269,501, supra, the commonly assigned U.S. Ser. No. 13/275,307, supra, and others of the commonly assigned incorporated applications, the thermostat 1800 represents an advanced, multi-sensing, microprocessor-controlled intelligent or “learning” thermostat that provides a rich combination of processing capabilities, intuitive and visually pleasing user interfaces, network connectivity, and energy-saving capabilities (including the presently described auto-away/auto-arrival algorithms) while at the same time not requiring a so-called “C-wire” from the HVAC system or line power from a household wall plug, even though such advanced functionalities can require a greater instantaneous power draw than a “power-stealing” option (i.e., extracting smaller amounts of electrical power from one or more HVAC call relays) can safely provide. By way of example, the head unit microprocessor 2402 can draw on the order of 250 mW when awake and processing, the LCD module 1960 can draw on the order of 250 mW when active. Moreover, the Wi-Fi module 2410 can draw 250 mW when active, and needs to be active on a consistent basis such as at a consistent 2% duty cycle in common scenarios. However, in order to avoid falsely tripping the HVAC relays for a large number of commercially used HVAC systems, power-stealing circuitry is often limited to power providing capacities on the order of 100 mW-200 mW, which would not be enough to supply the needed power for many common scenarios.

The thermostat 1800 resolves such issues at least by virtue of the use of the rechargeable battery 1944 (or equivalently capable onboard power storage medium) that will recharge during time intervals in which the hardware power usage is less than what power stealing can safely provide, and that will discharge to provide the needed extra electrical power during time intervals in which the hardware power usage is greater than what power stealing can safely provide. In order to operate in a battery-conscious manner that promotes reduced power usage and extended service life of the rechargeable battery, the thermostat 1800 is provided with both (i) a relatively powerful and relatively power-intensive first processor (such as a Texas Instruments AM3703 microprocessor) that is capable of quickly performing more complex functions such as driving a visually pleasing user interface display and performing various mathematical learning computations, and (ii) a relatively less powerful and less power-intensive second processor (such as a Texas Instruments MSP430 microcontroller) for performing less intensive tasks, including driving and controlling the occupancy sensors. To conserve valuable power, the first processor is maintained in a “sleep” state for extended periods of time and is “woken up” only for occasions in which its capabilities are needed, whereas the second processor is kept on more or less continuously (although preferably slowing down or disabling certain internal clocks for brief periodic intervals to conserve power) to perform its relatively low-power tasks. The first and second processors are mutually configured such that the second processor can “wake” the first processor on the occurrence of certain events, which can be termed “wake-on” facilities. These wake-on facilities can be turned on and turned off as part of different functional and/or power-saving goals to be achieved. For example, a “wake-on-PROX” facility can be provided by which the second processor, when detecting a user's hand approaching the thermostat dial by virtue of an active proximity sensor (PROX, such as provided by a Silicon Labs SI1142 Proximity/Ambient Light Sensor with I2C Interface), will “wake up” the first processor so that it can provide a visual display to the approaching user and be ready to respond more rapidly when their hand touches the dial. As another example, a “wake-on-PIR” facility can be provided by which the second processor will wake up the first processor when detecting motion somewhere in the general vicinity of the thermostat by virtue of a passive infrared motion sensor (PIR, such as provided by a PerkinElmer DigiPyro PYD 1998 dual element pyrodetector). Notably, wake-on-PIR is not synonymous with auto-arrival, as there would need to be N consecutive buckets of sensed PIR activity to invoke auto-arrival, whereas only a single sufficient motion event can trigger a wake-on-PIR wake-up.

FIGS. 26A-26C illustrate conceptual examples of the sleep-wake timing dynamic, at progressively larger time scales, that can be achieved between the head unit (HU) microprocessor and the backplate (BP) microcontroller that advantageously provides a good balance between performance, responsiveness, intelligence, and power usage. The higher plot value for each represents a “wake” state (or an equivalent higher power state) and the lower plot value for each represents a “sleep” state (or an equivalent lower power state). As illustrated, the backplate microcontroller is active much more often for polling the sensors and similar relatively low-power tasks, whereas the head unit microprocessor stays asleep much more often, being woken up for “important” occasions such as user interfacing, network communication, and learning algorithm computation, and so forth. A variety of different strategies for optimizing sleep versus wake scenarios can be achieved by the disclosed architecture and is within the scope of the present teachings. For example, the commonly assigned U.S. Ser. No. 13/275,307, supra, describes a strategy for conserving head unit microprocessor “wake” time while still maintaining effective and timely communications with a cloud-based thermostat management server via the thermostat's Wi-Fi facility.

FIG. 27 illustrates a self-descriptive overview of the functional software, firmware, and/or programming architecture of the head unit microprocessor 2402 for achieving its described functionalities. FIG. 28 illustrates a self-descriptive overview of the functional software, firmware, and/or programming architecture of the backplate microcontroller 2502 for achieving its described functionalities.

FIG. 29 illustrates a view of the wiring terminals as presented to the user when the backplate is exposed. As described in the commonly assigned U.S. Ser. No. 13/034,666, supra, each wiring terminal is configured such that the insertion of a wire thereinto is detected and made apparent to the backplate microcontroller and ultimately the head unit microprocessor. According to a preferred embodiment, if the insertion of a particular wire is detected, a further check is automatically carried out by the thermostat to ensure that signals appropriate to that particular wire are present. For one preferred embodiment, there is automatically measured a voltage waveform between that wiring node and a “local ground” of the thermostat. The measured waveform should have an RMS-type voltage metric that is above a predetermined threshold value, and if such predetermined value is not reached, then a wiring error condition is indicated to the user. The predetermined threshold value, which may vary from circuit design to circuit design depending on the particular selection of the local ground, can be empirically determined using data from a population of typical HVAC systems to statistically determine a suitable threshold value. For some embodiments, the “local ground” or “system ground” can be created from (i) the Rh line and/or Rc terminal, and (ii) whichever of the G, Y, or W terminals fromWhich power stealing is being performed, these two lines going into a full-bridge rectifier (FWR) which has the local ground as one of its outputs.

FIGS. 30A-30B illustrate restricting user establishment of a new scheduled set point that is within a predetermined time separation (such as one hour) from a pre-existing scheduled set point, in a subtle manner that does not detract from the friendliness of the user interface. The ability to prevent new user-entered scheduled set points that take effect within one hour of pre-existing set points can be advantageous in keeping the overall schedule relatively “clean” from an overpopulation of set points, which in turn can make the schedule more amenable to comfort-preserving yet energy-conserving automated learning algorithms. In particular, the scheduling user interface of thermostat 1800 operates to bar the user from entering a new scheduled set point within one hour of a pre-existing set point, but achieves this objective in a way such that the user does not feel like they are being explicitly “forced” to place set points where they do not want to place them, nor are they being explicitly “punished” for trying to place a set point where one is not allowed. Even though this feature may only be subtly apparent to the user, and even though it may take several second looks to perceive what the thermostat user interface is actually doing to achieve this subtle objective, this feature contributes to the feeling of friendliness, the feeling of being free from intimidation, on the part of the user and therefore increases the likelihood that the user will want to “engage” with the thermostat and to “be a part of” its energy saving ecosystem. In FIG. 30A, the user is engaging with a scheduling screen 3050 of the thermostat 1800 in a manner that is further described in U.S. Ser. No. 13/269,501, supra, performing ring rotations to move the displayed time interval backward and forward in time relative to a timepoint line 3052, which remains static in the middle of the screen. As illustrated, a clock icon 3056 reflects the particular point in time indicated at the timepoint line 3052. If the user provides an inward click input at FIG. 30A when the timepoint line 3052 is not within one hour of a pre-existing set point (icon 3054), a menu 3058 appears that presents the options “New” and “Done”. The user will be allowed to enter a new set point for the particular point in time indicated by timepoint line 3052 by appropriate ring rotation and inward click to select “New.” However, according to a preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 30B, if the timepoint line 3052 is within one hour of the pre-existing set point 3054, then the icon 3054 grows in size according to an amount of overlap with the timepoint line 3052, going to a fully expanded size when the timepoint line 3052 is directly in the middle of icon 3054 (i.e., directly at the effective time of the pre-existing set point), and approaching a regular “background” size as the timepoint line 3052 moves one hour away from the time of that pre-existing set point. Importantly, if the user provides an inward click when the timepoint line 3052 is within one hour of the pre-existing set point, then the menu 3059 appears, which does not provide a “New” option but instead provides the options of “Change” (to change the effective time or temperature of the pre-existing set point), “Remove” (to remove the pre-existing set point), and “Done” (to do neither). Advantageously, the user's attention focuses on the expanding and contracting icon 3054, which in addition to being visually pleasing has a temperature value that is easier to read when it is enlarged, as the dial is rotated. When they provide the inward click, the user's attention is focused on the fact that they can change or remove the existing set point, rather than any sort of “punishment” for trying to establish a new scheduled set point, which they have just been subtly prohibited from doing. Finally, in the event that the user does elect to change the effective time of the pre-existing set point icon 3054 (using an intuitive “pick up and carry” method, see U.S. Ser. No. 13/269,501, supra), they are allowed to “carry” the pre-existing set point left or right to a new point in time, but as the “carried” icon approaches any other pre-existing set point, it will simply stop moving any closer once it is one hour away from that other pre-existing set point even if the user keeps rotating the dial. This provides a subtle, non-punishing and non-threatening cue to the user that they have reached the end of the permissible time shift of the “carried” pre-existing set point icon.

FIGS. 31A-31D illustrate time to temperature display to a user for one implementation. Other aspects of preferred time to temperature displays are described in the commonly assigned U.S. Ser. No. 12/984,602, supra. Preferably, as illustrated FIG. 31B, the time to temperature (hereinafter “T2T”) display 3131 is provided immediately to the user based on a quick estimate derived from historical performance data for this particular HVAC system and this particular home as tracked by this particular thermostat. As illustrated in FIG. 31C, whenever the display is activated (such as when the user walks up to the thermostat to check on it and their close presence is detected by the thermostat's active short-range proximity sensor or “PROX”), the T2T display 3131 shows the estimated number of minutes remaining according to an updated estimate of the time remaining. Notably, it has been found that due to an appreciable standard deviation of the T2T estimate in many cases, it is preferable to simply display “under 10 minutes” (or other suitable small threshold) if the T2T estimate is less than that amount, lest the user be disappointed or think there is a problem if there is a precise countdown provided that turns out not to be accurate.

FIG. 32 illustrates an example of a preferred thermostat readout when a second stage heating facility is invoked, such as AUX (auxiliary heat strip for heat pump systems) or W2 (conventional second stage heating). According to one preferred embodiment, if the initial time to temperature estimate (“T2T”) is more than 20 minutes (or some other threshold indicative of an uncomfortably long time) when the temperature is first turned up (i.e., when the user has turned the dial up or used the remote access facility to turn up the operating set point temperature), then the second stage heating facility is automatically invoked by the thermostat. For one embodiment the T2T display can simply be changed to HEATX2 to indicate that the second stage heat facility is activated. Optionally, there can be provided a T2T estimate in addition to the HEATX2 display, where the T2T computation is specially calibrated to take into account the second stage heating facility. The second stage heating facility will usually remain activated for the entire heating cycle until the target temperature is reached, although the scope of the present teachings is not so limited.

FIGS. 33A-33C illustrate actuating a second stage heat facility during a single stage heating cycle using time to temperature (T2T) information according to a preferred embodiment. For any of a variety of reasons ranging from an open window to a just-completed sunset, it may happen that the HVAC system is “falling behind” what was previously expected using the first heating stage. For one preferred embodiment, such a situation is automatically detected by the thermostat based on time to temperature (h T2T) upon which the second stage heating facility is automatically invoked. For one preferred embodiment, if the thermostat determines that it is more than 10 minutes (or other suitable threshold) behind the initial T2T estimate (i.e., if the current T2T estimate reflects that the total time from the beginning of the cycle until the currently estimated end time of the cycle will be more than 10 minutes greater than the initial T2T estimate), then the second stage heating facility will be activated. Stated in terms of an equation, where “t” is the time since the start of the cycle and “T2T(t)” is the time to temperature estimate at the time “t”, then the second stage heating facility becomes invoked if {[t+T2T(t)]−T2T(0)} becomes greater than 10 minutes (or other suitable threshold). As with the embodiment of FIG. 32, the T2T display can then simply be changed to HEATX2, or optionally there can also be provided a T2T estimate where the T2T computation is specially calibrated to take into account the second stage heating facility. Preferably, if the cycle is almost complete (for example, T2T is only 5 minutes or less) at the point in time at which it is first determined that the system is more than 10 minutes behind the initial estimate, the second stage heating facility will not be invoked. For one preferred embodiment, since it is desirable to keep the head unit processor of thermostat 1800 asleep as often as possible, while at the same time it is desirable to be vigilant about whether the HVAC system is falling too far behind, there is an automated 15-minute wake-up timer that is set by the head unit processor before it goes to sleep whenever there is an active heating cycle in effect. In this way, in the event that the head unit processor is not woken up for some other purpose during the heating cycle, it will wake up every 15 minutes and perform the computations for determining whether the HVAC system is falling behind. The second stage heating facility will usually remain activated until the target temperature is reached, although the scope of the present teachings is not so limited.

Shown in FIGS. 33A-33C is a particular example in which the initial T2T estimate was 18 minutes (FIG. 33A), but the system starting lagging behind and by the time 15 minutes had elapsed (FIG. 33B), there was only modest progress toward the target temperature. As of FIG. 33B, the system is “behind” by 8 minutes since 15 minutes has elapsed and there are still 11 minutes left to go (that is, T2T(15)=11), so the total estimated cycle completion time (from start of cycle) is now 26 minutes, which is 8 minutes more than the initial 18 minute estimate. Finally, in FIG. 33C the system has fallen behind by more than 10 minutes, so the second stage heat facility is activated and the T2T estimate is replaced by HEATX2.

FIG. 34 illustrates a user interface screen presented to a user by the thermostat 100 (or 1800) in relation to a “selectably automated” testing for heat pump polarity according to a preferred embodiment. If the user has a heat pump system, as is automatically detected by virtue of the automated detection of a wire in the O/B port described elsewhere in this specification and/or the commonly assigned applications, the selectably automated test will usually occur at or near the end of a setup interview following initial installation for determining whether the heat pump operates according to the so-called “O” convention or the so-called “B” convention. For an “O” convention heat pump heating call, the cooling call (Y1) signal type is energized while the heat pump (O/B) signal type is not energized, while for an opposing “B” convention heat pump heating call the Y1 signal type is energized while the heat pump (O/B) signal type is also energized. As described in the commonly assigned U.S. Ser. No. 13/038,191, supra, the thermostat 100 is capable of performing a completely automated test, in which it first actuates heating (or cooling) according to the “O” convention (which is generally known to be more common for domestic HVAC systems), and then automatically senses by virtue of a rising temperature (or a falling temperature) whether the heat pump is operating according to that “O” convention. If not, then the less-common “B” convention is tried and similarly verified to see if the heat pump is operating according to that “B” convention.

According to some embodiments for further enhancing the user experience at initial setup, further automation and selectable automation is programmed into the thermostat 100 as follows. For one embodiment, the user is not bothered with being required to select between which particular mode (heating versus cooling) will be used for the O/B orientation test, but rather this decision is made automatically by the thermostat based on one or more extrinsic and/or sensed criteria. In one example, based on the ZIP code and current date which has been received and/or downloaded, the thermostat can make an educated guess as to whether to use heating or cooling as the first O/B orientation test. In another example, the current outside weather (as received from the cloud based on ZIP code, for example) is used in conjunction with the current room temperature to make the determination. In yet another example that has been found particularly useful, just the current room temperature is used to make the decision based on a predetermined threshold temperature such as 70 degrees F., wherein the heating mode is first used during the O/B orientation test if the current temperature is below 70 degrees F., and the cooling mode is first used during the O/B orientation test if the current temperature is above 70 degrees F.

Notably, the fully automated O/B orientation test can take some time to finish, since it can take some time to reliably determine the actual temperature trend in the room. According to one preferred embodiment, at the outset of the automated O/B orientation test, the user is presented with the screen of FIG. 34 in which they are told that an automated heat pump test is occurring, but are also given the option of manually intervening to speed up the test, where the manual intervention simply consists of telling the thermostat which function is being performed by the HVAC system, that is, whether the heat is on or whether the cooling is on. Advantageously, the user can choose to intervene by feeling the air flow and answering the question, or they can simply walk away and not intervene, in which case the automated sensing make the determination (albeit over a somewhat longer interval). This “selectably automated” O/B orientation test advantageously enhances the user experience at initial setup.

In one optional embodiment, since it has been found that most users will indeed intervene to provide the right answer and shorten the test anyway, and since a large majority of systems are indeed of the “O” convention, the thermostat 100 can be programmed to default to the “O” convention in the event there is an indeterminate outcome in the automated test (due to an open window, for example, or thermostat internal electronic heating) when the user has indeed chosen not to intervene. This is because the “O” answer will indeed be correct in most cases, and so the number of actual incorrect determinations will be very small, and even then, it is generally not a determination that will cause damage but rather will be readily perceived by the user in relatively short order, and this very small number of users can call customer support to resolve the issue upon discovery. In other embodiments, an indeterminate outcome can raise a warning flag or other alarm that instructs the user to either manually intervene in the test, or to call customer support. In still other alternative embodiments, the “O” configuration is simply assumed to be the case if the user has not responded to the query of FIG. 34 after 10 minutes, regardless of the sensed temperature trajectory, which embodiment can be appropriate if device electronic heating concerns at initial installation and startup are expected to lead to wrong conclusions a substantial percentage of the time, especially since estimates of the prevalence of the “O” configuration have in some cases exceeded 95%.

Provided according to one preferred embodiment is a method for selectively displaying the emotionally encouraging “leaf” described above in the instant application, to encourage the user when they are practicing good energy saving behavior. This algorithm has been found to provide good results in that it can be intuitive, rewarding, and encouraging for different kinds of users based on their individual temperature setting behaviors and schedules, and is not a straight, absolute, one-size-fits-all algorithm. These rules can be applied, without limitation, for walk-up manual dial set point changes, when the user is interacting over a remote network thermostat access facility, and when the user is adjusting set point entries using a scheduling facility (either walk-up or remote access). When an example is given for heating, it can be assumed that the same rule applies for cooling, except that the direction is opposite and the numerical threshold will be different. One useful set of rules is as follows. A set of judiciously selected predetermined constants for setting forth the rules is first described. Let a heat occupied default setting be H_od=68F (representing a generally good “occupied” heat setting to be at or below). Let a cool occupied default setting be C_od=76F (representing a generally good cool “occupied” setting to be at or above). Let a heat away default be H_ad=H_od−6F=62F (representing a generally good heat “away” setting to be at or below). Let a cool away default be C_ad=C_od+6F=82F (representing a generally good cool “away” setting to be at or above). Let a heat occupied wasting default be H_ow=H_od+6F=74F (representing a generally bad heat “occupied” setting to be above). Finally, let a cool occupied wasting be C_ow=C_od−6F=70F (representing a generally bad cool “occupied” setting to be below).

When the thermostat is new out of the box (“OOB”) and has just been installed, there is a default single set point of H_od=68 F for heating and C_od=76 F for cooling. For the first 7 days of operation, or some other default initial “OOB” period, if the user keeps the setting at or below H_od (heat) or at or above C_od (cool), the leaf will be shown, in order to encourage initial familiarity with the concept and feelings conveyed. Thus, if the user keeps a heat set point at 68 F or below in the first 7 days, then the leaf will be displayed. Preferably, as the user changes the set point temperature gradually above 68F (for heating), the leaf will fade out gradually over the first degree F. such that it disappears as 69F is reached. Similar fadeout/fade-in behavior is preferably exhibited for all of the thresholds described herein.

Subsequent to the 7 day period, a set of steady state leaf display rules can apply. Any time the user changes the current set point to a temperature that is 2 degrees F. less “energetic” (i.e., 2 degrees F. cooler if heating or 2 degrees warmer if cooling) than the currently scheduled temperature set point, then the leaf will be displayed. Likewise, if the user creates a set point using the scheduling facility that is 2 degrees less energetic than the existing, previously effective set point in the schedule, the leaf will be displayed. Preferably, certain limits are overlaid onto these rules. First, any time the temperature set point is below H_ad=62 F for heat or above C_ad=82F for cooling, or moved to these ranges, the leaf will always be displayed. Second, any time the temperature the set point is above H_ow=74 F for heat or below C_ow=70F for cooling, the leaf will never be displayed. The second “limit” rule can be omitted in some embodiments.

Provided according to one preferred embodiment is a self-qualification algorithm by which the thermostat 1800 determines whether it can, or cannot, reliably go into an auto-away state to save energy, i.e., whether it has “sensor confidence” for its PIR activity. For one preferred embodiment, the auto-away facility is disabled for a predetermined period such as 7 days after device startup (i.e., initial installation or factory reset). On days 5, 6, and 7 from startup (or other empirically predetermined suitable sample time period), the PIR activity is tracked by discrete sequential “time buckets” of activity, such as 5-minute buckets, where a bucket is either empty (if no occupancy event is sensed in that interval) or full (if one or more occupancy events is sensed in that interval). Out of the total number of buckets for that time period (24×12×3=864 for 5-minute buckets), if there is greater than a predetermined threshold percentage of buckets that are full, then “sensor confidence” is established, and if there is less than that percentage of full buckets, then there is no sensor confidence established. The predetermined threshold can be empirically determined for a particular model, version, or setting of the thermostat. In one example, it has been found that 3.5% is a suitable threshold, i.e., if there are 30 or more full buckets for the three-day sample, then “sensor confidence” is established, although this will vary for different devices models and settings.

Provided according to another preferred embodiment is a method for the automated computation of an optimal threshold value for the active proximity detector (PROX) of the thermostat 1800, by virtue of additional occupancy information provided by its PIR sensor. In order to conserve power and extend the lifetime of the LCD display and the rechargeable battery, as well as for aesthetic advantages in preventing the thermostat from acting as an unwanted nightlight, the PROX detector is integrated into the thermostat 1800 and polled and controlled by the backplate microcontroller (hereinafter “BPμC”) on a consistent basis to detect the close proximity of a user, the LCD display being activated only if there is a walk-up user detected and remaining dark otherwise. Operationally, the PROX is polled by the BPμC at regular intervals, such as every 1/60^(th) of a second, and a PROX signal comprising a DC-removed version of the PROX readings (to obviate the effects of changes in ambient lighting) is generated by the BPμC and compared to a threshold value, termed herein a “PROX threshold”. If the PROX signal is greater than the PROX threshold, the BPμC wakes up the head unit microprocessor (“hereinafter “HUμP”), which then activates the LCD display. It is desirable for the PROX threshold to be judiciously chosen such that (i) the PROX facility is not overly sensitive to noise and background activity, which would lead to over-triggering of the PROX and unnecessary waking of the power-intensive HUμP and LCD display, but that (ii) the PROX is not overly insensitive such that the quality of the user experience in walk-up thermostat use will suffer (because the user needs to make unnatural motion, for example, such as waving their hand, to wake up the unit).

According to one preferred embodiment, the PROX threshold is recomputed at regular intervals (or alternatively at irregular intervals coincident with other HUμP activity) by the HUμP based on a recent history of PROX signal readings, wherein PIR data is included as a basis for selecting the historical time intervals over which the PROX signal history is processed. It has been found that the best PROX thresholds are calculated for sample periods in which the noise in the PROX signal is due to “natural” background noise in the room (such as household lamps), rather than when the PROX signal is cluttered with occupant activity that is occurring in the roomWhich, generally speaking, can cause the determined PROX threshold to be higher than optimal, or otherwise sub-optimal. Thus, according to a preferred embodiment, the HUμP keeps a recent historical record of both PIR activity (which it is collecting anyway for the auto-away facility) as well as PROX signal readings, and then periodically computes a PROX threshold from the recent historical PROX data, wherein any periods of PIR-sensed occupant activity are eliminated from the PROX data sample prior to computation of the PROX threshold. In this way, a more reliable and suitably sensitive, but not overly sensitive, PROX threshold is determined. For one embodiment, the BPμC keeps one sample of the PROX signal data for every 5 minutes, and transfers that data to the HUμP each time the HUμP is woken up. For one embodiment, the HUμP keeps at least 24 hours of the PROX signal data that is received from the BPμC, and recomputes the PROX threshold at regular 24 hour intervals based on the most recent 24 hours of PROX data (together with a corresponding 24 hours of PIR-sensed occupancy data, such as the above-described auto-away “buckets” of activity). For another embodiment, the PROX threshold is recomputed by the HUμP every time it is about to enter into a sleep state. The recomputed PROX threshold is transferred to the BPμC, which then uses that new PROX threshold in determining whether a PROX event has occurred. In other preferred embodiments, the thermostat is further configured to harness the available ALS (ambient light sensor) data to generate an event better PROX threshold, since it is known that ambient light can add to the background PROX signal noise as well as to the DC value of the PROX readings.

Studies have shown that people (segmentations) react very differently to different styles of “nudges” or prompts to change their energy behavior. For one preferred embodiment, there is provided a way on the thermostat 1800 (and on the corresponding web facility) to measure people's responses to different energy prompts. Not only can this provide the right energy saving prompts for an individual over time, but in aggregate, the data can be an enormously useful resource to drive greater efficiency nationwide. By prompt, it is meant that some people are motivated to act by comparing them to their neighbors, some by estimating the money they have lost by not taking certain steps (such as insulation), some by estimating numbers of barrels of oil saved, etc. According to a preferred embodiment, tracking software and algorithms for grouping different prompts are provided in conjunction with the thermostat 1800 (much like web portals use to target advertising or anticipate search results). By understanding what characterizes groups of people who respond to similar prompts, there could be achieved: save more energy for learning thermostat customers, further the marketing potential of the thermostat units, and contribute to some of the biggest questions governments, nonprofits, academics and utilities are dealing with today which is how to change behavior to save energy or otherwise affect the greater good?

The presently described embodiments relate to “closing the loop” on the visual reinforcement algorithms provided by the thermostat by detecting, monitoring, and measuring what the user is doing—if anything—responsive to the operation of the visual reinforcement algorithm. Data can then be collected for a large number of users, and then analyzed to see if the visual reinforcement algorithm is effective. Correlations can be made between particular groupings of users (including but not limited to age, number of people in household, income, location, etc.) and particular visual reinforcement algorithms. Based on correlations that have been found to be successful, the visual reinforcement algorithms can then be changed or “tuned” for each individual household or other applicable customer grouping.

In one example, provided is a thermostatic control systemWith closed-loop management of user interface features that encourage energy saving behaviors. In a simplest example of the invention, the thermostat can operate according to the following steps: (1) Carry out a first visual reinforcement algorithm, such as the “leaf algorithm”. (2) When the customer earns a reward, display to them the “reward leaf”. (3) For the first minute (or hour, or day) after showing the “reward leaf”, monitor the customer's inputs (if any) and report those inputs to the central Nest server over the internet. (4) Analyze the customer's inputs (either separately or in conjunction with a similar group of customers) to determine if the basic “leaf algorithm” was a “success” for that customer (or that group of customers). (5) If the basic leaf algorithmWas not a “success” for that customer or grouping of customers, then automatically download a different visual reinforcement algorithm to that customer's thermostat (or grouping of customer thermostats). By way of a hypothetical example, if the positive-reinforcement “leaf algorithm” was not successful, the replacement visual reinforcement algorithm could be a negative-reinforcement “smokestack” algorithm. (6) Repeat steps (2)-(5) as needed to optimize energy saving behavior according to some optimization criterion.

In one more complex embodiment of the invention, the thermostats can operate according to the following steps: (1) Over a population of different installations, carry out many different visual reinforcement algorithms for many different customers, on a random basis or according to some predetermined distribution scheme; (2) Each time a user is shown a “reward” (or “punishment”) according to their particular visual reinforcement algorithm, monitor the customer's inputs (if any) for the first minute (or hour, or day) after showing the “reward” (or “punishment”), and report those inputs to the central Nest server over the internet; (3) Analyze the collected data to determine correlations between the success of certain visual reinforcement algorithms and the classifications of customers, geographies, etc. for which they are successful; (4) Automatically download the successful visual reinforcement algorithms for the corresponding customers, geographies, etc. for which they are successful. (5) When commissioning new thermostat installations, automatically program in the particular visual reinforcement algorithms most likely to be successful for that particular customer (e.g., based on the setup interview, purchase data, customer address, and so forth).

For some embodiments, what can be measured is the result of efficiency “infosnacks” shown on the thermostat display, like “You are using 40% more energy than your neighbors” or “Nest has calculated that your home would be X % more efficient with proper insulation” or “By not using the AC one day a week you would save 120$ a month.” What people act on, what people ignore, what people want to get more information about can begin to be discovered. Messages could be sent to each user depending on what they respond to and in aggregate conclusions could be drawn about the kinds of efficiency information folks respond to and why. Studies have shown that when given timely and relevant information about their energy use, consumers can reduce their energy use by 4%-15%. The trouble is, no one quite sure what makes this info relevant and therefore effective. With all the data that can be gotten from users, the thermostat 1800 including its surrounding ecosystem as described hereinabove can help answer that question.

Platform Architecture. According to some embodiments, further description regarding platform architecture for a VSCU unit will now be provided. The VSCU is a powerful, flexible wall-mounted energy management solution. The hardware platform is open and extensible, allowing the system to be used in many applications besides the ones that have been targeted initially.

Overview. The VSCU unit is split into two halves. (1) A head unit: this unit contains the main processor, storage, local area wireless networking, display and user interface. Also included are a range of environmental sensors plus a rechargeable battery and power management subsystems. It is removable by the user and can be connected to a computer for configuration; and (2) a backplate: this unit installs on the wall and interfaces with the HVAC wiring. It provides power to the head unit and also facilitates control of the attached HVAC systems. Optionally, it may also include a cellular wireless interface. This split allows significant flexibility in terms of installation type whilst allowing the most complex part of the system to remain common and be mass-produced.

Head Unit. The VSCU head unit is a powerful self-contained ARM Linux system, providing ample compute resource, local storage, and networking in addition to an elegant user interface. The design has been optimized for low power operation, taking advantage of processor power saving modes and mDDR self-refresh to reduce power consumption to minimal levels when the system isn't actively being used. The main sections of the head unit are as follows.

Processor and Memory. A Texas Instruments AM3703 system-on-chip is used as the CPU. This provides: (1) ARM Cortex A8 core with 32k I-Cache, 32k D-Cache and 256k of L2, running at up to 800 MHz at 1.3v. The intended operation point for this part is however 300 MHz/1.0v in order to conserve power; and (2) mDDR interface, connected to a 32 Mb×16 mDDR (64 MBytes). When not actively in use, the processor will be forced into a STANDBY mode (likely Standby 1). This power and clock gates most of the SoC to minimize both leakage and dynamic power consumption whilst retaining DDR contents and being able to wake on any GPIO event or timer tick. In this mode, the SoC and memory are expected to dissipate less than 5 mW of power.

Power Management. The AM3703 is powered by a TI TPS65921 PMU. This part is closely coupled to the CPU and provides power for the CPU, SoC, mDDR and 10. Peripherals that do not run from 1.8V are powered off discrete low dropout voltage regulators (LDOs) as this PMU is not intended to power the rest of the system. The PMU also provides a USB2-HS PHY which connects to the USB-mini-B connector on the back of the head unit, used for PC-based configuration.

Mass Storage. A single 256 MB/512 MB SLC NAND flash chip is used to provide the system's mass storage. SLC flash is used to ensure data integrity—we do not want to suffer from boot failures due to data degradation or read disturb. Most SLC flash retains data for 10 years and up to 100,000 cycles. In order to ensure that pages do not get worn out, MTD/JFFS2 is expected to be used for the partitions that are rewritten frequently—this is not required for area that are just read such as X-Loader, U-Boot, etc. Redundant copies of U-Boot, kernel and root file system are stored on the NAND to provide a fallback should a software update go awry.

Display & User Interface. □A memory-mapped RGB color display with 320×320 pixel resolution and LED backlight provides the primary user interface. The backlight brightness can be adjusted with a CPU-driven PWM and can be automatically adjusted based on light sensed by the ambient light sensor. To deal with situations where the head unit is not running (e.g.: head unit hardware failure, battery discharged, etc.), a single tricolor LED connected to the backplate MCU provides a secondary means of informing the user about the device state. A rotary control with push actuation provides user input functionality. If the device is pushed in for 10 seconds, the head unit will reboot; this is a hardcoded feature provided by the TI PMU.

Wireless Communications. The primary communications interface is an 802.11b/g Wi-Fi module based on the TI WLI271 chip, connected via MMC2. Through this interface the VSCU unit can communicate with the server farm and provide secure remote control of the HVAC system in addition to updating temperature and climate models, reporting problems and updating software. In addition to Wi-Fi, a ZigBee transceiver is provided to communicate both with other products (such as auxiliary thermostats, other VSCU head units, baseboard heater controllers) and also with Smart Energy profile devices. The ZigBee interface is capable of running as a coordinator (ZC) if there is sufficient power available. ZigBee uses the TI CC2533 ZigBee transceiver/controller and is connected to UART2.

Configuration Interface. A mini-B USB socket, only visible when the head unit is removed from the backplate, is provided to allow configuration of the device from a PC or Mac. The device will appear to be a USB-MSC device when connected, so no drivers are required on the host side.

Reset. The head unit can be reset by the MCU if required.

Sensors. Most sensors are located in the backplate, and are read over the serial interface; this allows more flexibility with PD to ensure that they are ideally located. However, one sensor is located on the head unit as it needs to be in close proximity to the display—the Ambient Light Sensor/Proximity. A Silicon Labs ALS/proximity sensor senses ambient light (to adjust LCM backlighting) and also near-field proximity to activate the UI when a user approaches the device. The interrupt line of this device is capable of waking the CPU from standby modes.

Backplate Unit. The backplate unit interfaces with the HV AC system, providing control of attached HV AC components and also supplying power to the head unit.

Power Supplies. A high voltage LDO provides a 3.1v bootstrap for the MCU; this can be disabled under MCU control but it is expected that this will be left enabled to provide a “safety net” if the head unit supply vanishes for any reason—such as the head unit being removed unexpectedly. The input to this LDO is provided by diode-OR'ing the heat 1, cool 1 and common wire circuits together. In normal operation, a 3.3v LDO on the head unit powers the backplate circuitry; because of the high input voltage to this LDO, it cannot supply significant current without a lot of heat dissipation. The second supply in the backplate is the high voltage buck. The input to this supply can be switched to heat 1, cool 1 or the common wire under MCU control—only one input is expected to be selected at a time. The HV buck can supply a maximum of 100 mA at 4.5v.

The output current of the buck is not limited; however, the input on the head unit is current limited and can be set to one of 3 valid configurations: (1) 20 mAJ4.5v (90 mW)-low setting for troublesome HVAC systems (FORCE_100 mA low, DOUBLE_CURRENT low); (2) 40 mAJ4.5v (180 mW)—default setting for power stealing (FORCE 100 mA low, DOUBLE CURRENT high); and (3) 100 mAJ4.5v (450 mW)—highest setting, forced by backplate to bring a head unit with low battery back to operational state (FORCE_100 mA high, DOUBLE_CURRENT low).

The voltage on the buck's input capacitor can be measured by the MCU, allowing it to momentarily open the WI or YI contacts during an “enabled” phase in order to recharge the buck input cap and continue to power steal. This would only be used in a single circuit system (I heat OR 1 cool). When used with two circuits (heat and cool), the systemWould power steal from the non-shorted circuit; with a common wire circuit, the systemWould not power steal at all.

Switching. The user install backplate provides switching for 1 heat (WI), 1 cool (YI), fan (G), aux heat (AUX) plus heat pump changeover control (O/B). The pro backplate adds secondary heat (W2), secondary cool (Y2), emergency heat (E), plus dry contacts for a humidifier and dehumidifier. The regular HV AC circuits are switched using source-to-source NFETs with transformer isolated gate drive, giving silent switching. The dry contact circuits use bistable relays with two coils (set and reset) to open and close the circuits.

Sensors. Several sensors arc connected to the MCU so that the device can sense the local environment. Temp/Humidity and pressure sensors are connected via the I2C bus and three PIR sensors are also connected on the development board (one analog, two digital). (1) Temperature and humidity: a Sensirion SHT21 sensor provides accurate temperature and humidity sensing whilst taking less than I50 uW of power (150 uW=1 reading per second). (2) Pressure: a Freescale MEMS pressure sensor allows measurement of air pressure whilst taking less than 40 uW of power (˜1 high resolution reading per second). Fast air pressure changes can indicate occupancy (and HVAC activity). (3) Passive Infra-red movement sensors: three PIR sensors are present on the board according to some embodiments: (a) Murata PIR with filter/preamp: this part is fed into an analog input on the MCU, and also to a window comparator to provide a digital output. The analog circuitry effectively provides the filtering required to remove the DC bias and provide a motion sense output to the MCU; and (b) Two Perkin-Elmer digital PIRs: these are connected to the MCU and are bit-banged to read the internal ADCs. This raw value has no DC offset but still requires software filtering to reveal motion activity.

MCU. The backplate MCU processor is a TI MSP 430F5529 CPU, providing: (1) 12 ADC channels for: (a) Voltage measurement/presence detect for common wire and 8 HV AC circuits; (b) Voltage measurement of HV buck input capacitor; and (c) Head unit VBAT measurement; (2) 3 PWM channels for driving the tricolor LED on the head unit (backplate emergency status); (3) 1 PWM channel to provide the ˜5 MHz transformer drive needed to switch HV AC circuits; (4) 8 GPIOs to enable the HVAC switches once the PWM is running; (5) 4 GPIOs to set and reset the two dry contact relays; (6) 3 GPIOs to select the HV buck's input source; (7) 2 GPIOs to enable/disable the LDO and HY buck; (8) 2 I2C buses, one for the temp/humidity sensor and one for the pressure sensor; (9) 1 GPIO connected to the pressure sensors end of conversion output; (10) 3 GPIOs for PIR connection; (11) 1 GPIO to detect head unit presence; (12) 1 GPIO to reset the head unit; (13) 1 GPIO to force the head unit's charger to take 100MA; (14) One UART for head unit communication; and (15) One UART for debug (e.g. for a development board).

Reset and Watchdog. The backplate MCU uses a watchdog to recover from any crashes or instabilities (eg: ESD related events that destabilize the MCU). In addition, the head unit can reset the backplate MCU under software control by driving the RESET_BACKPLATE line high. This signal is RC filtered to prevent false triggers from transient events.

Head Unit—Backplate Interface. The interface between the two parts of the system consists of 20 pins: (1) Power input (2 pins): power is supplied from the backplate to the head unit to nm the system and charge the head unit's local battery, which provides both a buffer for high current peaks (including radio operation) and also battery-backup for continued operation during power failures; (2) Power output (3 pins): power is supplied from the head unit to the backplate to enable high current consumption when required (for example, switching a bistable relay). The VBAT supply is intended only for use by a cellular communication device and for MCU monitoring; (3) Signal ground (2 pins): ground reference for signaling; (4) Low speed communications (2 pins): a UART interface is used for head unit-backplate communications in all configurations. This interface provides identification/authentication, sensor sampling, and control. Typically, this interface runs at 115,200 bps and is connected to a small MCU in the backplate; (5) High speed communications (3 pins): a USB1.1 12 Mbps host interface is also presented by the head unit. This can be used by advanced backplates to enable high performance networking or HV AC control, at a small power penalty above and beyond what is required for the low speed interface. Advanced backplates are not typically power-limited; (6) Detection (2 pins): one grounded at the backplate and one grounded at the head unit, allow each end to detect mating or disconnection and behave appropriately; (7) Head and backplate reset signals (active high: NFET gate drive via RC filter to pull reset lines low); (8) LED cathode connections for RGB LED mounted in head unit; and (9) 5× current limit switch to force fast charging in low battery situations

Boot Scenarios. Some common boot scenarios will now be described, according to some embodiments:

Scenario 1: Out of Box Experience (Batten/not Empty): (1) User has wired backplate up correctly. MCU LDO has booted MCU; (2) User connects head unit (battery PCM in protection mode); (3) Default 20 mA limit in charger resets PCM protection mode, VBAT recovers to ˜3.7v; (4) PMUturns on; (5) MCU measures VBAT, releases head unit reset; and (6) Communications established with MCU.

Scenario 2: Out of Box Experience (Battery Empty): (1) User has wired backplate up correctly. MCU LDO has booted MCU; (2) User connects head unit (battery PCM in protection mode); (3) Default 20 mA limit in charger resets PCM protection mode, VBAT is <3Av; (4) PMU samples battery voltage but it is below the EEPROM-stored VMBCH_SEL value of 3 Av so does not power on; (5) MCU measures VBAT, sees low voltage. MCU forces 100 mA charge and turns on indicator LED; (6) When VBAT passes VMBCH_SEL voltage of 3Av, head unit will power up; (7) Communications established with MCU; and (8) Head unit asks MCU to turn off LED.

Scenario 3: Head Unit Crashed: (1) Head unit in zombie state, not talking to MCU, battery voltage ok; (2) MCU notes no valid commands within timeout period; (3) MCU turns HV buck off to cut power, then asserts head unit reset; (4) MCU turns HV buck on again, releases reset; and (5) Communications established with MCU.

Scenario 4: Backplate Unit Crashed: (1) Backplate unit in zombie state, not replying to SoC; (2) SoC resets MCU; and (3) Communications established with MCU.

Scenario 5: Head Unit VI Lockup: (1) Head unit UI locked up, but lower levels are functioning (MCU comms still active, so MCU will not reset UI); (2) User notices no screen activity, presses and holds button for 10 seconds causing SoC reboot; and (3) Communications established with MCU.

Power Consumption. The system's average power consumption is determined by a few variables: (1) Power in standby mode; (2) Power in active mode; and (3) Power in interactive mode.

Standby Mode. This mode is the one in which the systemWill reside “most of the time”. The definition of “most of the time” can vary, but it should be able to reside in this state for >95% of the product's life. In this mode, the MCU is running but the head unit is in standby mode. HVAC circuits can be active, and the head unit can be woken into active mode by several events: (1) Proximity sensor or rotary event: The interrupt line from the prox is directly connected to the SoC and so can cause a wake directly. (2) Wi-Fi: The WL IRQ line, connected to the SoC, can wake the head unit when a packet arrives over Wi-Fi (presumably, the chipset would be programmed to only interrupt the SoC on non-broadcast packets when it was in standby); (3) ZigBee: Data from the ZigBee chip can wake the SoC (eg: incoming ZigBee packets); (4) Timer: The system can wake from the RTC timer. This is likely to be used for periodic events such as maintenance of push connections over Wi-Fi and data collection; and (5) Backplate comms: Incoming communications from the backplate will wake the head unit. This could be sensor data or alarm notifications from HV AC monitoring.

The MCU is expected to enter power saving states itself regularly in order to reduce power drain—even if it is waking at 10 Hz to sample the pressure sensor, for example. Because this part of the system is always powered, improvements in efficiency here can make more difference than optimization of rarely used head unit states. The expected ballpark for head unit power consumption in this mode is: 4 mW for CPU/DDR, 2 mW for PMU, 4 mW for Wi-Fi (estimated based on other known chip sets), 2 mW for other items=11 mW. The expected ballpark for backplate power consumption in this mode (with no HVAC loads switched) is ˜5 mW, but will change slightly depending on what frequency sensors are polled.

Active Mode (Display Off).

In active mode, the head unit is powered up, but the display is off. This mode is expected to be in use hundreds of times per day, but for very short periods of time (hopefully <10 seconds each event). Typical reasons the systemWould transition to active mode include: (1) User activity: active mode would be transitioned through on the way to interactive mode; (2) Sensor data collection: the backplate may have buffered environmental data that needs to be fed to the control algorithm and processed in order to determine whether a response is needed; (3) Push connection: in order to maintain a TCP connection through most NAT routers, data must be transferred periodically. The head unit would use active mode to perform this connection maintenance; and (4) Website-initiated action: here, a user requested action on the servers would result in data being sent over the push connection, causing the Wi-Fi module to wake the SoC to process the data and perform any necessary actions.

Given the relatively high power nature of this mode, care should be taken to ensure that any action is completed and “tided up” before the system is put back into standby mode. For example, if a command if sent to the MCU which generates a response, the response should be gathered before the standby transition is made, otherwise the system may end up bouncing between active and standby mode, wasting power unnecessarily. The same type of problem could also occur with network connections (e.g.: TCP closes). Average power dissipated in this mode could be in the 200 mW range depending on Wi-Fi activity and processor loading.

Interactive Mode (Display on): This is the mode in which the user actually interacts with the device. Given that the system is fully active—screen on, backlight on, low latency performance desired—the power footprint is the largest of any of the operational modes. However, because user interactions are likely to be brief and infrequent—especially if the device is performing as intended—their impact on average system power is expected to be very low. It is expected that interactive mode will have a relatively long timeout (maybe as much as 60 seconds) before the unit transitions into active mode and then to standby. It would be worth having the unit stay in active mode for a significant time—maybe 30 seconds or more—on the way down so that if the user starts to interact with the device again, the response is instantaneous. Average power in this mode is likely to be greater than 300 mW depending on Wi-Fi activity, processor loading, and display backlight brightness.

Example Power Consumption Calculation. Table 1 shows how the total system power consumption might be calculated.

TABLE 1 Time in Times per Ave. Power Mode Power mode day % per 24 h Interactive 300 mW 60 s 4 0.28% 0.83 mW Active 200 mW 10 s 192 2.22% 4.44 mW Standby  11 mW 84,240 s    1 97.50% 10.73 mW  Average   16 mW Power

As can be seen from Table 1, the dominant power is that of standby, though waking the head unit 8 times per hour (192 times per day) is also not insignificant. Switching each HVAC zone also takes power, estimated at ˜1 mA @ 3.3v (i.e., 4.5 mW of power at the HV buck output assuming the battery is full). We are likely to be switching multiple circuits concurrently—at least 1H/1C+fan. This can significantly increase our power consumption and hence also needs to be optimized appropriately.

Power Supply. From surveys, it would appear that we are likely to be able to draw 40 mA@5vdc from the HV buck; as this is a switching converter, this 200 mW power should translate directly to 44 mA@ 4.5vdc in our system. Initially, it was thought that we may only be able to take 100 mW or less from the HV AC circuits, so this is good news. Note that in any system that has both heat and cool (but NOT heat pump), the system can power steal from the non-activated circuit ensuring that we have 200 mW of power available at all times.

Prevention of Deleterious Collocated-Thermostat Control Coupling

As discussed above with reference to FIGS. 10A-D, a building or other thermostat-controlled environment may include multiple VSCUs that each controls a different region within the building or other thermostat-controlled environment. As further discussed above, whether the multiple VSCUs each controls a different HVAC or whether the multiple VSCUs control heating and cooling of each of the different regions from a single HVAC, situations may arise in which the control of two or more regions by two or more VSCUs may become coupled due to thermal communication between the regions, as a result of which HVAC-cycling frequency or the frequency at which air flow is electromechanically redirected from the HVAC within the building or other thermostat-controlled environment may significantly increase, in turn potentially leading to inefficient cooling or heating as well as to increased HVAC maintenance and replacement costs. In extreme cases, other electromechanical equipment coupled to the HVACs may also be deleteriously affected.

The present subsection provides a more detailed discussion of control coupling between thermostats, discussed above with reference to FIGS. 10A-D, and a more detailed discussion of thermostat-control features and implementations that detect and ameliorate control coupling. As used herein, two or more thermostats are “collocated” if they are associated with a common overall enclosure, such as a home or business building. In this subsection, the term “thermostat” is used to refer both to the VSCU described above as well as to other processor-controlled thermostats that intercommunicate and/or communicate with a remote server/monitor that can coordinate operation of multiple collocated thermostats within a multi-region building or other thermostat-controlled multi-region environment. In other words, the control features and methods discussed in the current subsection may be implemented for incorporation within VSCUs as well as in other types of processor-controlled thermostats and environmental controllers.

FIG. 35 illustrates a multi-region building in which thermostats that each controls a different region may become control coupled. In this example multi-region environment, heating and heat-transfer are used to illustrate control coupling. Control coupling also occurs as a result of air-condition or cooling operations, and other environmental-control operations. As shown in FIG. 35, the building or other environment includes a first region 3502 and a second region 3504. The first region is a rectangularly shaped volume that shares one side 3506 and a portion 3508 of another side 3510 with the second region 3504. The boundaries of the two regions may be walls, insulated walls, floors, ceilings, insulated ceilings, partitions, sheeting, and other types of boundaries. Notably, it is not required that the boundary between any two regions be physical in nature, such as for cases of a very large open room or long hallway having one thermostat/HVAC system at one end and another thermostat/HVAC system at another end. The first region 3502 includes a first thermostat 3512 that controls a first HVAC system 3514 and the second region includes a second thermostat 3516 that controls a second HVAC system 3518. As indicated by arrows 3520 and 3522, the first and second HVACs each output heat to the region in which the HVAC is located. As indicated by arrows 3524 and 3526, the heat within each region may transferred into the external environment and, as indicated by arrows 3528 and 3530, heat from the external environment may be transferred into each of the two regions 3502 and 3504. In addition, because the two regions share a portion of their boundaries, heat may transfer from the first region to the second region, as indicated by arrow 3532, and heat may transfer from the second region to the first region, as indicated by arrow 3534. In general, net passive heat transfer occurs most significantly, at a given point, in a direction opposite to a thermal gradient of the scalar temperature field at that point, from a higher-temperature region to a lower-temperature region. By using input electrical energy, chemical energy, or other forms of energy, an HVAC system introduces heat from a higher-temperature volume within the HVAC to a lower-temperature region by active thermal transfer.

While FIG. 35 shows only two regions, each controlled by a single thermostat, and even though the regions have relatively simple boundaries, the amount of heat transferred at any particular point in time and position in the various modes of passive heat transfer and active heat transfer from the thermostat-controlled HVAC systems may be a highly complicated function of many different variables and parameters. FIG. 36 lists representative variables and parameters associated with thermostat operation within the multi-region building shown in FIG. 35. Variables and parameters associated with each region, as shown in FIG. 36, include: (1) the current temperature field within the region; (2) the heat-transfer function, itself a complex function of multiple variables, that describes the rate of heat transfer from the region to the external environment and from the external environment to the region; (3) similar heat-transfer functions that each describes the rate of heat transfer from the region into an adjacent region and from the adjacent region into the region; (4) the current set point for the thermostat within the region; (5) the current swing for the thermostat within the region; (6) a function that describes the thermostat response to changes in the values of various environmental parameters sensed by the thermostat; (7) a heat transfer function that describes the rate of heat transfer from the HVAC system to the region; (8) the volume of the region; and (9) the areas of the different types of boundaries of the region. Variables and parameters associated with the external environment 3606 include the current temperature, relative humidity, wind velocity, and energy flux from the external environment to region boundaries resulting from sunlight impinging on the region boundaries. Many additional variables and parameters may be considered when attempting to model temperature fluctuations, HVAC operation, and thermostat operation within the simple two-region volume shown in FIG. 35.

As known in the art, although its precise arithmetic definition can vary somewhat among different references and/or manufacturers, the term “swing” or “temperature swing” refers generally to a target temperature band around the temperature set point that is actually maintained by the thermostat in view of the binary ON/OFF or otherwise limited nature of the control provided by the thermostat. In a simplest definition of the term, for the particular example of heating mode, a swing of “X” degrees around a temperature set point “T” means that the furnace will be cycled on when the measured temperature drops below T−X degrees, and will be cycled off when the measured temperature rises above T+X degrees. Typical temperature swing values can be in the range of 0.5 degrees F. to 3 degrees F. Swing can alternatively be unbalanced or two-sided around the set point temperature, wherein there can be a negative swing of two degrees below the temperature set point to cycle the furnace on, for example, and a positive swing of one degree above the temperature set point to cycle the furnace off. For one or more scenarios described herein in which “swing” is made dynamically variable according to one or more embodiments, it is assumed for purposes of simplicity and clarity that there is a fixed 0.5 degree F. positive swing above a heating set point temperature to cycle the furnace off, while there is a variable negative swing below the temperature set point (simply termed “swing”) to cycle the furnace on. One skilled in the art will readily appreciate, however, that the described embodiments are broadly applicable to both single-parameter and multi-parameter expressions of the term “swing.”

A precise mathematical characterization of the variation of temperature with time, thermostat operation, and the HVAC operational cycles would be difficult or impossible for even a very simple two-region volume, such as that shown in FIG. 35, let alone for an actual multi-region building or other thermostat-controlled multi-region environment. The rates of thermal exchange, for example, are often described by partial differential equations with boundary conditions. For real-world thermostat-controlled buildings and other environments, characterizing the initial conditions and boundary conditions of a multi-region volume is difficult, and no closed-form solutions of the partial differential equations can be obtained. However, it is possible, using very simple computational models, to observe the effects of control coupling between thermostats that each separately controls a region of a multi-region building or other thermostat-controlled environment. As one very simple example, by searching through various thermostat settings, using a simple simulation implemented as a C++ program, described below, that models HVAC operation and thermostat control for multiple regions, each controlled by a single thermostat, settings that produce resonance-like HVAC-cycle-frequency surges due to control coupling between two or more thermostats are easily found.

The simple modeling program includes a number of constant declarations, including scalar values for the external heat-transfer rate between regions and the external environment, the internal heat-transfer rate between regions, a factor “hUnitsPerT” that represents the number of heat units per unit of temperature per volume, a factor “hUnits” that represents the number of heat units per unit time introduced into a region by an HVAC system, and a factor “TPerHunit” that represents the rise in temperature per introduced heat unit per volume:

const int NumDataPoints = 1005; const int MaxRegions = 5; const double externalTransferRate = 0.002; const double internalTransferRate = 0.1; const double hUnitsPerT = 10; const int hUnits = 5; const double TPerHunit = .1; The numeric values are not meant to represent actual values in meaningful units. The start and end times and duration for each HVAC cycle are stored in a structure “Cycle,” declared as follows:

typedef struct { int start; int end; int duration; } Cycle; Each region within a building or other thermostat-controlled environment is described by an instance of the class “region,” declared below:

class region { private: double currentTmp; double currentExTmp; Cycle record[NumDataPoints]; int currentCycle; bool heating; int setTmp; int swing; int startTime; double vol; public: void update(double currentZnTmp, double feedback, int currentTime); double getTmp( ) {return currentTmp;}; int getCycle( ) {return currentCycle;}; int getDuration(int i) {return record[i].duration;}; int getStart(int i) {return record[i].start;}; int getEnd(int i) {return record[i].end;}; region (double ext, double initialTmp, int initialSetTmp, int initialSwing, int startT, int volume); }; typedef region* regionPtr; Private data members of the class “region” represent various parameters and settings, including the current internal temperature of the region, the current external temperature, an integer indicating the sequence number of the current HVAC cycle, a Boolean variable indicating whether or not HVAC is current powered on, the set point temperature, the swing, and the volume of the region. The member functions of the region include functions that retrieve the values of certain of the private data members as well as the member-function “update” that is repeatedly called, at each increment of simulation time, to update region parameters. When the HVAC within a region is powered off, to complete an HVAC cycle, data for the cycle is stored by the region in the private data member “record.”

Each experiment or simulation is represented by an instance of the class “experiment,” declared below:

class experiment { private: regionPtr regions[MaxRegions]; int numZ; int time; double fBack; public: void run( ); void getRegionInput (int region, double & tmp, int & set, int & swing, int & start, int & volume); void analyze( ); experiment(int numRegions, double extT, double feedbackLvl); ~experiment( ); };

As can be seen in the main routine, provided below, for each simulation, an instance of the class “experiment” is allocated and the experiment member function “run” is called to simulate thermostat operation over a specified period of time, with the arguments for the constructor of the class “experiment” indicating the number of regions, the external temperature, and the degree of feedback between thermostats:

int main( ) { while (true) { int num = 0; double externalT = 0.0; int length = 0; double feedBack = 0.0; float f = 0.0; experiment* e; getInput(num, externalT, feedBack); if (num < 1) break; if (feedBack < 0 || feedBack > 1.0) feedBack = 0.0; e = new experiment(num, externalT, feedBack); e−>run( ); delete e; } return 0; } The member function “run” of the class “experiment” includes a nested loop, the outer loop of which increments time over a total simulation time and the inner loop of which calls the “update” member function of each region for each simulation time:

void experiment::run( ) { int i, j; double feedback[MaxRegions]; double feedbackT; while (true) { time++; for (i = 0; i < numZ; i++) feedback[i] = regions[i]−>getTmp( ); for (i = 0; i < numZ; i++) { feedbackT = 0.0; for (j = 0; j < numZ; j++) if (i != j) feedbackT += feedback[j]; feedbackT /= (numZ − 1); if (regions[i]−>getCycle( ) >= (NumDataPoints − 1)) goto exit; else regions[i]−>update(feedbackT, fBack, time); } } exit: analyze( ); }

The member function “update” for the class “region” computes a new temperature for the region based on external and internal heat transfer and heat input from the HVAC system and, when the temperature falls below the set point minus the swing, activates the HVAC and, when the temperature exceeds the set point, deactivates the HVAC. The parameter “feedback” passed to the member function “update” describes the level of feedback between regions by a numeric value between 0.0 and 1.0. The function member “update” is provided below:

void region::update(double currentZnTmp, double feedback, int currentTime) { double heatIn = 0; double zDiff, diff; zDiff = currentZnTmp − currentTmp; diff = currentExTmp − currentTmp; heatIn = (zDiff * internalTransferRate * feedback) + (diff * externalTransferRate); heatIn *= hUnitsPerT; heatIn = heatIn * (pow(vol, 0.6666)/vol); if (heating) heatIn += hUnits; currentTmp = currentTmp + (TPerHunit * heatIn)/vol; if ((currentTime >= startTime) && (!heating) && (currentTmp < (setTmp − swing))) { heating = true; currentCycle++; record[currentCycle].start = currentTime; } else if ((heating) && (currentTmp >= (setTmp + 0.5))) {  heating = false;  record[currentCycle].end = currentTime;  record[currentCycle].duration = currentTime −  record[currentCycle].start; } }

A few additional routines, with stubs for parameter-input routines and simulation-data-analysis routines, are provided next for completeness:

void experiment::analyze( ) { } void experiment::getRegionInput (int region, double & tmp, int & set, int & swing, int & start, int & volume) { } experiment::experiment(int numRegions, double extT, double feedbackLvl) { int i; double tmp; int set; int swing; int start; float f; int volume; numZ = numRegions; for (i = 0; i < numZ; i++) { getRegionInput (i, tmp, set, swing, start, volume); regions[i] = new region(extT, tmp, set, swing, start, volume); } time = 0; fBack = feedbackLvl; } experiment::~experiment( ) { int i; for (i = 0; i < numZ; i++) delete regions[i]; } region::region (double ext, double initialTmp, int initialSetTmp, int initialSwing, int startT, int volume) { currentTmp = initialTmp; currentExTmp = ext; currentCycle = −1; heating = false; setTmp = initialSetTmp; swing = initialSwing; startTime = startT; vol = volume; } void getInput(int & num, double & externalT, double & feedBack) { }

Although the above-describe simulation program is a simplified model for temperature and temperature control within regions of a building or other thermostat-controlled environment, by varying different parameters, in particular the degree of feedback between regions, interesting coupling effects between thermostat control of the multiple regions can be observed.

FIGS. 37-38C illustrate a commonly observed operation pattern for two control-coupled thermostats. This pattern is easily simulated even by the simplistic computational model described above. In FIG. 37, three pairs of HVAC-state vs. time plots illustrate the frequency and duration of HVAC cycles that result from different simulated degrees of feedback, or thermal exchange, between the two regions. A first pair of plots 3702 illustrates the pattern of HVAC cycles within the two regions when there is no thermal exchange, or feedback, between the two regions. In FIG. 37, each plot, such as plot 3704 of the first pair of plots 3702, is a representation of HVAC state versus time. There are only two HVAC states plotted with respect to the vertical axis: (1) on 3706 and (2) off 3708. An HVAC cycle, such as HVAC cycle 3710, begins at a first point in time 3712 when the HVAC transitions from the off state to the on state and continues to a second point in time 3714 when the HVAC state transitions from the on state to the off state. The two different regions have different volumes and therefore settle into different HVAC-cycling frequencies with HVAC cycles of different lengths. The plots shown in FIG. 37 illustrate a portion of the simulation after the thermostats have reached steady-state operation. The smaller region, region 1, exhibits relatively shorter HVAC cycles, such as HVAC cycle 3710, than the HVAC cycles exhibited by the larger region, region 2, such as HVAC cycle 3716. However, the HVAC cycles for the first region occur more frequently than those for the second region. For example, three full cycles are observed in the plot for region 1 while only two and a fraction cycles are observed in the plot for region 2, both plots representing an identical simulated time period. In general, a shorter HVAC cycle in the smaller region is adequate to raise the internal temperature of the region back to the set point, but the smaller region loses heat to the external environment and possibly to region 2 more quickly, since the surface-to-volume ratio for a smaller region is greater than the surface-to-volume ratio for a larger region.

When a relatively small level of thermal communication is introduced between the two regions, as illustrated by the second pair of plots 3718, the length of the HVAC cycles for the first region shorten slightly, but the HVAC-cycling frequency increases. By contrast, the lengths of the HVAC cycles for the second region slightly increase, but the HVAC-cycling frequency decreases. When the level of thermal communication between the two regions is significantly increased, as illustrated by the third pair of plots 3720, the lengths of the HVAC cycles for the first region decrease further while the HVAC-cycling frequency increases substantially while, at the same time, the lengths of the HVAC cycles in the second region further increase, but the HVAC-cycling frequency in the second region decreases further. Of course, cycle lengths and cycle frequencies depend greatly on the relative temperature differential between the two regions, the relative volumes between the two regions, the set points and swings for the two regions, and other parameter values. Variations in these parameters can change the patterns significantly. In the case illustrated in FIG. 37, the set point for region 1 is higher than the set point for region 2. However, the swing for region 1 is smaller than the swing for region 2. As a result of parametrically increasing the level thermal communication between the two regions, the HVAC system in region 1 ends up heating both region 1 and region 2 after the level of thermal communication increases past a threshold value, while the HVAC in region 2 is no longer active.

FIGS. 38A-C illustrate plots of the HVAC-cycling frequencies versus the level of thermal communication between regions for a two-region experiment using the above-described simulation model. In FIG. 38A, the HVAC-cycling frequency with respect to the level of thermal communications between the two regions is plotted in plot 3802 for the first, smaller region. As the level of thermal communication between the two regions increases, the HVAC-cycling frequency for region 1 increases non-linearly from an initial cycle frequency 3804 to a higher, plateau frequency 3806. FIG. 38B shows a plot of HVAC-cycling frequency versus level of thermal communications between the two regions for region 2. The HVAC-cycling frequency for region 2 slowly decreases from an initial HVAC-cycling frequency 3808 and then steeply declines to a HVAC-cycling frequency of zero 3810. The total HVAC-cycling frequency for both regions, representing the sum of the plotted curves of FIGS. 38A and 38B, is provided in FIG. 38C. As can be seen in FIG. 38C, the total HVAC-cycling frequency increases non-linearly to a maximum value 3812 for an intermediate level of thermal communications between the two regions 3814 and then decreases with increasing levels of thermal communication.

The shapes of the plots in FIGS. 38A-C are highly dependent on the values of the various parameters for the two regions used in the simulation as well as the specified temperature for the external environment. For many parameter settings, the peak in HVAC-cycling frequency with respect to the level of thermal communications seen in FIG. 38C is less prominent than in FIG. 38C, while for other parameter settings, the peak is significantly steeper and narrower than in FIG. 38C. By varying the values of the various parameters, including the level of thermal communication, systematically, it is possible to find particular parameter settings for which the total HVAC-cycling frequency for both regions far exceeds the HVAC-cycling frequency observed when one or more of the parameter values is only slightly changed. In certain cases, the HVAC-cycling frequencies increase and the HVAC cycle lengths decrease across all HVACS in a multi-region building. Periodic energy transfer in phase with a periodic energy-consuming system can lead to relatively large amplitude increases in the periodic energy-consuming system, while random or out-of-phase energy transfers produce much smaller or no amplitude increases.

The total HVAC-cycling frequency within a multi-region building or other thermostat-controlled multi-region environment may be closely related to the overall cooling or heating efficiency as well as to HVAC-maintenance costs and life cycles. FIGS. 39A-40B illustrate reasons underlying the often-observed dependence of HVAC heating and/or cooling efficiency on HVAC-cycling frequency. FIG. 39A shows a hypothetical plot of the energy input to an HVAC during a short HVAC cycle. Double-headed arrow 3902 indicates the time period, plotted with respect to the horizontal time axis 3904, of the short HVAC cycle. As indicated in FIG. 39A, a large amount of energy is initially input into the HVAC during the first portion of the HVAC cycle, in order to heat HVAC components to desired levels and to overcome relatively large initial inertias associated with HVAC components. The energy input then decreases as the HVAC reaches an efficient, steady-state operational level. For example, for many types of heating systems, a large amount of electrical energy and/or a large volume of hydrocarbon gas is initially consumed by the heating system in order to raise the internal temperature of heating-system elements to a desired temperature, following which the energy consumed by the HVAC decreases to a lower level needed to maintain the internal temperature of the HVAC and electromechanical operation of HVAC components as heat is output into the region in which the HVAC is located. As shown in FIG. 39B, the heat output by the HVAC during an HVAC cycle increases non-linearly to a plateau level, at time 3906, remains steady for the remainder of the cycle, and then begins to non-linearly decrease, at time 3908, at the end of the HVAC cycle. The HVAC efficiency, plotted in FIG. 39C with respect to time, is initially quite low but steeply and non-linearly increases to a plateau efficiency 3910 as the energy consumption of the HVAC decreases and the heat output by the HVAC increases to steady-state levels. The shapes of the curves in FIG. 39 are hypothetical and meant only to illustrate the general trends in energy consumption, heat output, and efficiency of the HVAC system during an HVAC cycle.

FIGS. 40A-B illustrate a dependence of HVAC efficiency on HVAC-cycling frequency. FIG. 40A shows a first plot of HVAC state vs. time, using the same illustration conventions as used in FIG. 37. The HVAC cycles are relatively long and the HVAC-cycling frequency is relatively low. The crosshatched portions of each cycle 4002 and 4004 represent the initial, inefficient operation of the HVAC at the beginning of each cycle. FIG. 40B shows a second plot of HVAC state vs. time in which a second HVAC operational mode is illustrated. In the second HVAC operational mode illustrated in FIG. 40B, the HVAC cycles are relatively shorter than the HVAC cycles in the first operational mode, shown in FIG. 40A, and the HVAC-cycling frequency is relatively greater than for the first operational mode shown in FIG. 40A. The total time of efficient operation of the HVAC is identical in both modes. However, because the initial inefficient HVAC operation portion of each cycle has the same length, independent of the overall length of the cycle, the total time of inefficient operation in the second HVAC-operational mode, shown in FIG. 40B, is almost double that of the first HVAC-operational mode shown in FIG. 40A. Thus, as the HVAC cycles shorten in duration and the HVAC-cycling frequency increases, an increasingly greater proportion of the time of HVAC operation corresponds to inefficient HVAC operation, at the beginning of HVAC cycles. Of course, after some point, the length of the period of inefficient operation at the beginning of each HVAC cycle decreases with increasing HVAC-cycling frequency. However, in general, the higher the HVAC-cycling frequency, the less efficient the HVAC operates in order to heat or cool the region in which the HVAC is located. Furthermore, as the HVAC-cycling frequency increases, there is much greater wear and tear, per unit time, on the HVAC and various additional electromechanical systems coupled to the HVAC. As one example, thermal expansion and thermal contraction occur at the beginning and end of each HVAC cycle, creating stress on HVAC parts and structures. The failure rates of mechanical parts are strongly correlated with the number of expansion and contraction cycles and therefore with the HVAC-cycling frequency.

As a result of the above-discussed considerations, multiple thermostats within a building or other thermostat-controlled environment that control separate regions in thermal communication need to be intelligently controlled to avoid those parameter settings at which, for particular internal and external environmental conditions, the total HVAC-cycling frequency within the building or other thermostat-controlled environment is significantly greater than for slightly different parameter settings. In other words, significant increase in overall HVAC-operational efficiencies and significant decreases in HVAC maintenance and replacement costs can be achieved by cooperatively controlling the multiple thermostats to avoid parameter settings that lead to sharp, resonance-induced-like increases in the overall HVAC-cycling frequency. Slight parameter adjustment in operational modes subject to resonance-like HVAC-cycling frequency surges generally does not significantly affect the dynamic temperature field within a building or other thermostat-controlled environment, since only slight adjustments are often needed to disrupt deleterious control coupling between thermostats. It is for this reason that incorporating control-coupled-thermostat-decoupling subcomponents into intelligent thermostat control programs is particularly attractive and cost-effective, since significant inefficiencies and detrimental operational modes can be avoided without significantly altering desired operational modes.

One method, to which the current application is directed, increases HVAC-operation efficiency and decreases HVAC maintenance and replacement costs by detecting surges in total HVAC-cycling frequency and adjusting one or more operational parameters of one or more collocated thermostats in order to disrupt control coupling between collocated thermostats and lower the total HVAC-cycling frequency. This and additional methods to which the current application is directed involves a monitor entity which monitors operation of multiple collocated thermostats and reporting and parameter-adjustment functionality within each of the collocated thermostats that inform the monitor of thermostat activities and adjust thermostat parameters according to parameter-adjustment messages communicated by the monitor to the thermostats. When implemented as part of the control program of a thermostat, this method becomes a portion of the controlling functionality of an intelligent thermostat. The control-coupled-thermostat-decoupling methods to which the current application is directed are generally implemented as processor instructions, stored within an electronic memory within the thermostat, that are retrieved and executed by one or more processors within the thermostat. The control-coupled-thermostat-decoupling methods may alternatively be implemented by logic circuits and firmware or implemented by a combination of stored processor instructions, logic circuits, and firmware.

The above-described VSCUs are convenient platforms for incorporating control-coupled-thermostat-decoupling subcomponents into the thermostat control programs. VSCUs are generally connected by wireless or wired communications media to the Internet, and, through the Internet, to cloud servers on which the monitor entity can be implemented. However, it is also possible for the monitor entity to reside in the same building as the intelligent thermostats monitored and controlled by the monitor. Indeed, the monitor entity may be implemented and incorporated within one thermostat that intercommunicates with other collocated thermostats and may be distributed among two or more thermostats, in certain implementations.

It should also be noted that avoiding parameter settings that produce significantly increased total HVAC-cycling frequencies within a building or other thermostat-controlled environment may be only one goal or constraint of a multi-goal and multi-constraint HVAC-operation optimization carried out by the monitor entity. The various constraints and goals may depend on the nature of the regions, building, or other thermostat-controlled environment, on the characteristics of the HVACs, and on other characteristics and considerations. As one example, because of differences in operational costs and characteristics, it may actually be cost effective and desirable to, at times, heat two or more adjacent regions with a single HVAC rather than concurrently operating multiple HVACs within the regions. In other situations, it may be advantageous and desirable to slightly increase the total HVAC-cycling frequency in order to evenly distribute HVAC cycles among multiple HVACs. Thus, while the method and systems to which the current application is directed generally attempt to detect resonance-like dependence of the total HVAC-cycling frequency on thermostat parameters, the parameter adjustments carried out by the method and systems may vary depending on the constraints and goals of the HVAC optimization carried out by the monitor entity.

FIGS. 41A-49 illustrate an implementation for one control-coupled-thermostat-decoupling-method implementation incorporated within VSCUs intercommunicating with a remote monitor that interfaces with the VSCUs via one or more cloud servers. This illustrated method is but one example of control-coupled-thermostat decoupling to which the current application is directed.

FIGS. 41A-B illustrate a general computational model for a number of intelligent thermostats and a monitor entity that together implement a control-coupled-thermostat decoupling method. Both the thermostat control and the monitor may be viewed as carrying out a continuous control loop. FIG. 41A provides a control-flow diagram of a control loop underlying operation of an intelligent thermostat or monitor entity. In step 4102, the control loop waits for a next event to occur. There are many different types of events, including user input events, sensor events, expiration of timers, received-message events, and many other types of events handled by processor-controlled systems. When an event occurs, the control loop awakens and a next event is de-queued from a queue of events, in step 4104. In step 4106, an appropriate event handler is called to handle the event. When the event is a reportable event, such as a control event within the thermostat, as determined in step 4108, an appropriate message reporting the event is queued for transmission to a message-receiving entity, such as an event monitor, in step 4110. If there are additional events in the event queue, as determined in step 4112, then control returns to step 4104. Otherwise, control returns to step 4102, in which the control loop quiesces until another event is available for handling.

The basic control loop illustrated in FIG. 41A assumes a low-level event handler that detects and queues events for handling asynchronously with respect to the control loop. FIG. 41B illustrates the low-level event handler. The low-level event handler is invoked by various devices and processes that generate events, including sensors, input devices, hardware timers, software timers, and other such event-producing entities. The low-level event handler first disables event handling, in step 4114. Then, the low-level event handler determines, in step 4116, whether the event that has occurred can be handled in real time or, by contrast, needs to be handled on a deferred basis by the control loop. For those events that can be handled in real time, the low-level event handler invokes an appropriate real-time event handler in step 4118. As one example, an event that can be handled by setting a flag in a register or memory location may be better handled in real time than queued for deferred handling by the control loop. For those events that cannot be handled in real time, which generally involve significant computation of time delays, the low-level event handler queues the event to an event queue in step 4120. Then, in step 4122, the low-level event handler re-enables event handling. If another event is detected immediately following event-handling re-enabling, as determined in step 4124, control flows back to step 4116. Otherwise, the low-level event handler terminates.

FIG. 42 illustrates certain variables and data involved in the control-coupled-thermostat-decoupling-method implementation illustrated in FIGS. 41A-49 The variables associated with thermostat 1 4202 and with thermostat 2 4204 are identical. These variables include, for each thermostat: (1) a Boolean variable “heating,” which indicates, when true, that the thermostat is currently controlling the HVAC in a heating mode; (2) a Boolean variable “cooling,” which indicates that the thermostat is currently controlling the HVAC in a cooling mode; (3) a variable “delay,” which indicates the number of time units to delay initiation of a next HVAC cycle; (4) an integer variable “swing,” which indicates the temperature swing with which the thermostat is currently operating; (5) a Boolean variable “confirm,” which indicates that the thermostat needs to request permission from the monitor to initiate a next HVAC cycle; (6) a Boolean variable “delayed,” which, when true, indicates that the thermostat is currently awaiting timer expiration to initiate a next HVAC cycle; (7) a Boolean variable “confirmation,” which, when true, indicates that the thermostat is waiting for permission from the monitor to initiate a next HVAC cycle; and (8) a Boolean variable “on” which indicates, when true, that the HVAC controlled by the thermostat is currently powered on. Note that the variables “heating” and “cooling” indicate general operational modes, while the variable “on” indicates whether or not the HVAC controlled by the thermostat is currently powered on, during an HVAC cycle, or currently powered off, in an interval between HVAC cycles. The monitor maintains logs for each thermostat 4206 and 4208 as well as various parameter settings for each thermostat 4210 and 4212. The thermostats and the monitor may, in addition, be associated with additional variables and data.

FIG. 43 provides a control-flow diagram for a monitor cycle-report handler invoked when the monitor receives a cycle-report message from a thermostat, queued for transmission in step 4110 of FIG. 41A, to report an HVAC-power-on event or an HVAC-power-off event. In step 4302, the monitor receives the cycle-report message from a thermostat and, in step 4304, determines the identity and location of the reporting thermostat. In step 4306, the monitor logs the report in the appropriate thermostat log. In step 4308, the monitor determines whether a next cycle-analysis should be carried out for the thermostat. This determination may be made based on the passage of time since the most recent cycle analysis, the number of cycles that have transpired since the most recent cycle analysis, or may be based on some other criterion or criteria. When cycle analysis is not warranted, as determined in step 4308, then the monitor finishes handling the cycle report, in step 4310, and returns. Otherwise, the monitor cycle-report handler, in step 4312, analyzes the log for the reporting thermostat to determine the recent HVAC-cycling frequency and other characteristics of HVAC operation associated with the thermostat. When this analysis indicates that the HVAC-cycling frequency is significantly increasing, as determined in step 4314, or that the HVAC-cycling frequency is significantly greater than an expected HVAC-cycling frequency for the thermostat and associated region, based on historical data and current conditions, as determined in step 4316, then, in the case that the thermostat is collocated in a building or other thermostat-controlled environment with at least one other thermostat, as determined in step 4318, the monitor cycle-report handler invokes a routine to adjust the collocated thermostats in step 4320. Otherwise, a complementary relaxed-settings routine is invoked in step 4322. Following operation of the parameter-adjustment routine or the relaxed-settings routine, the monitor-cycle report handler finishes cycle-report handling, in step 4310, and terminates. The thermostat-adjustment routine, invoked in step 4320, adjusts the settings of one or more collocated thermostats in order to decouple a potentially control coupling among the collocated thermostats. The relaxed-settings routine, invoked in step 4322, periodically relaxes any parameter-setting adjustments carried out in step 4320 in the handling of previous cycle reports so that, over time, the thermostat settings are dynamically optimized to avoid resonant-like total HVAC-cycle surges discussed above. Continuous adjustment and relaxation of adjustments allows the system of multiple thermostats to continuously respond to changing conditions without experiencing pronounced HVAC-cycle surges due to thermostat-control coupling.

FIG. 44 provides a control-flow diagram for the thermostat-setting-adjustment routine called in step 4320 of FIG. 43. This routine is called when the monitor determines that a thermostat may be deleteriously control-coupled with other thermostats in a multi-region building or other thermostat-controlled environment. In step 4402, the monitor identifies all thermostats collocated with the cycle-reporting thermostat and accesses the current settings and log files for the collocated thermostats. The monitor maintains position and identification information for all thermostats with which the monitor is communicating and can therefore readily identify collocated thermostats. In step 4404, the monitor determines whether the monitor has recently adjusted parameters for one or more of the collocated thermostats in order to decouple control-coupling of the thermostats. When parameter settings have been adjusted sufficiently recently and it would not make sense to adjust them again until the monitor can observe results from the previous adjustment, then the parameter-adjustment routine returns without further action. In step 4404, the monitor also reruns when the monitor is currently controlling HVAC-cycle initiation, since that control is exercised by responding to messages sent from thermostats seeking permission to initiate HVAC cycles. Otherwise, in step 4406, the monitor determines which of the collocated thermostats has the current highest-cycle frequency. When the delay setting for that thermostat can be incremented without exceeding a threshold value, as determined in step 4408, then the delay setting for the thermostat with the highest cycle frequency is incremented in step 4410. Otherwise, when the swing for the thermostat is currently less than some maximum allowable swing, as determined in step 4412, then the delay variable is set to zero and the swing is incremented, in step 4414. Otherwise, in step 4416, the delay setting is set to zero and the swing is set to a default swing and the parameter “confirm” is set to true in order to direct all of the collocated thermostats to request permission from the monitor to initiate a next HVAC cycle.

In the presently described implementation, the delay variable represents a fine-grain adjustment of the parameters of an individual thermostat. Adjusting the swing of an individual thermostat provides a coarser parameter adjustment. When control-coupling cannot be decoupled by adjusting the delay and swing parameters for individual thermostats, then, as a last resort, the monitor assumes control, temporarily, for the initiation of all HVAC cycles by all of the collocated thermometers. Although not shown in FIGS. 41A-49, there are fallback control routines that are invoked when communications between the collocated thermostats and monitor are interrupted or disrupted during times when the monitor assumes control of the initiation of HVAC cycles for the collocated thermostats. At worse, the collocated thermostats may resume normal operation during communications disruptions in order to continue to properly control temperature, although perhaps efficiently, due to control coupling. Finally, in step 4418, the monitor sends a setting-update message either to a single thermostat, the delay or swing for which is adjusted, or to all collocated thermostats in the case that the monitor has decided to assume HVAC-cycle-initiation control. Note that monitor control of the initiation of HVAC cycles is relinquished by the monitor, after a period of time, by the relaxed-settings routine called in step 4322 of FIG. 43.

FIG. 45 provides a control-flow routine for a thermostat event handler that handles reception of a settings-update message, received by the thermostat from the monitor, sent by the monitor in step 4418 of the thermostat-setting-adjustment routine shown in FIG. 44. In step 4502, the event-handler routine receives the setting update message, generally from an input queue, and, in step 4504, sets the current thermostat settings “delay,” “swing,” and “confirm” to the values specified by the monitor in the setting-update message.

FIG. 46 shows a temperature-excursion event handler that handles a detected excursion of the internal temperature of a region, sensed by a thermostat, to a temperature outside of the range of temperatures from the set point minus the swing to the set point. The temperature-excursion event therefore indicates to the thermostat that, in general, the thermostat may need to initiate an HVAC cycle in order to return the internal temperature to within the acceptable temperature range. In step 4602, the temperature-excursion handler determines whether the thermostat is currently in a heating mode, as indicated by the variable “heating.” When so, then, in step 4604, the temperature-excursion handler determines whether the current internal temperature of the region has risen above the set point. When the internal temperature is above the set point, a cycle-off procedure is called, in step 4606, to power off the HVAC and complete the current HVAC cycle. When the temperature has instead fallen below the set point minus the swing, as determined in step 4604, a cycle-on procedure is called, in step 4608, to power on the HVAC and initiate a new HVAC cycle. Similarly, when the thermostat is currently in a cooling mode, as determined in step 4610, then either the cycle-off or cycle-on routine is called depending on a determination of whether the temperature is currently above the set point, in step 4612. Otherwise, when the temperature is below the set point minus the swing, as determined in step 4614, but the thermostat is neither in a heating nor a cooling mode, then a consider-heating routine is called, in step 4616, in which the thermostat considers recent control history, parameter settings, and other factors to determine whether or not to enter a heating mode. Otherwise, a consider-cooling routine is called, in step 4618, in which the thermostat determines whether or not to initiate operation in a cooling mode. The consider-heating and consider-cooling routines are associated with an optional “automated changeover” mode in which the thermostat automatically decides whether to be in a heating or cooling mode. The automated changeover mode may involve relatively complex decisions. For example, when, on a very cold day, the sun begins to shine through the windows of a house, the temperature may rise above the set point, temporarily, then proceed to decrease below the set point once the HVAC is powered down. It would be quite inefficient for the intelligent thermostat to initiate an HVAC cooling mode operation as a result of a brief temperature spike that can be easily ameliorated by shortening a current HVAC heating cycle, and thus the automated changeover mode should be judiciously implemented in a manner that avoids such pitfalls.

FIG. 47 provides a control-flow diagram for the cycle-on routine called in step 4608 of the temperature-excursion event handler shown in FIG. 46. In the described implementation, adjustment of thermostat parameter settings to decouple control-coupled thermostats attempts to adjust parameter settings away from collective parameter settings that produce resonance-like spikes in the total HVAC-cycling frequencies within a multi-region building or other thermostat-controlled environment. When the HVAC is currently powered on, when the thermostat is waiting for permission from the monitor to initiate an HVAC cycle, or when the thermostat is waiting for expiration of a timer in order to initiate a next HVAC cycle, as determined in steps 4702-4704, the cycle-on routine returns. Otherwise, when the monitor is currently controlling HVAC-cycle initiation, as indicated by the variable “confirm,” in step 4706, the thermostat sets the variable “confirmation” to true, in step 4708 and requests cycle-on confirmation or cycle-initiation permission from the monitor, in step 4710. Otherwise, when the variable “delay” is greater than zero, as determined in step 4712, then the thermostat sets the variable “delay” to true, in step 4714, and sets a delay timer to expire once a time equal to the delay time has passed, after expiration of which the next HVAC cycle can be initiated, in step 4716. Otherwise, in step 4718, the intelligent thermostat sets the variable “on” to true and initiates a next HVAC cycle in steps 4720-4722.

FIG. 48 provides a control-flow diagram for a thermostat event handler that handles reception of a cycle-on confirmation message from a monitor. In step 4802, the intelligent thermostat determines whether or not the variable “confirmation” is true. When the variable is not true, an error has occurred, which is handled by calling an error-handling routine in step 4804. Otherwise, the variable “confirmation” is set to false, in step 4806 and a next HVAC cycle is initiated in steps 4808-4811. FIG. 49 provides a control-flow diagram for an intelligent-thermostat event-handling routine that handles expiration of a delay timer set in step 4716 in FIG. 47. This routine is similar to the error-handling routine that handles reception of a cycle-on confirmation message, shown in FIG. 48, and is not therefore further described.

When the monitor has assumed control of the initiation of HVAC cycles, the monitor receives requests for confirmation messages from the intelligent thermostats and returns confirmation messages at appropriate times to initiate HVAC cycles. As one example, the monitor may queue the incoming confirmation-message requests and transmit confirmation messages so that only one HVAC within a multi-region building or other thermostat-controlled environment is powered on at any particular point in time. Alternatively, the monitor may carry out more complex HVAC-cycle-initiation control in which HVAC cycles are allowed to overlap with respect to initiation times. Alternatively, even more complex types of control may be exercised by the monitor.

There are many additional implementations for thermostat-controlled decoupling. One relatively simple embodiment that has been found to be effective for many scenarios includes the detection of thermostat-controlled coupling and an immediate assumption of HVAC-cycle-initiation control by the monitor to ensure that only a single region has its heating or cooling cycle turned “on” at any given point in time. For this relatively simple embodiment, the swing can simply be held constant, and primary function of the monitor program is to ensure that the on-cycles for any two regions are out of phase with each other. In other implementations, not only the cycle-initiation times, but also the cycle-off times may be adjusted. In yet other implementations, any of various other different parameters or combinations of parameters within one or more intelligent thermostats may be adjusted in order to return the overall system to a relatively lower-total-HVAC-cycling frequency once a resonance-induced-like surge in HVAC-cycling frequency is detected. In still additional implementations, the monitor may carefully monitor and adjust thermostat settings and parameters in order to achieve a more complex set of constraints and optimization goals. The monitor may additional attempt to balance overall thermal output among multiple HVACs, may attempt to balance the total time of operation of the multiple HVACs, or may attempt to control collocated thermostats to achieve other such goals.

Although the present invention has been described in terms of particular embodiments, it is not intended that the invention be limited to these embodiments. Modifications within the spirit of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, control-coupled-thermostat decoupling methods can be implemented in many different ways by varying any of many different design and implementation parameters, including control structures, data structures, modular organization, programming language, operating system, and other such parameters. Control-coupled-thermostat decoupling methods may range from simple monitor control to prevent simultaneous operation of multiple HVACs within a building or other multi-region environment to elaborate thermostat-setting-adjustment-based optimization methods that seek to minimize the total HVAC-cycling frequency as well as meet various different constraints, such as constraints regarding balanced operation of multiple HVACs.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments described herein are applicable for a variety of different hardware configurations for thermostatic control of any particular HVAC region in an enclosure, and therefore the term thermostat should not be construed as being limited to a single, unitary hardware device such as a single, unitary VSCU unit. Rather, the embodiments described herein are broadly applicable for any enclosure in which (i) there are multiple regions that are in some type of mutual thermal communication with each other, (ii) each of these regions is heated or cooled by virtue of at least one individually controllable source or outlet of heat or cool; and (iii) the at least one individually controllable source or outlet for each region is thermostatically controlled according to at least one sensor reading acquired in that region. For example, the scenario of FIG. 35 supra is set forth in terms of a relatively straightforward division of hardware implementation in which there is a separate, unitary thermostat in each region that controls its own separate HVAC system. For this scenario, the monitor program described herein that inhibits deleterious control-coupling effects can be implemented in at least the following ways: (i) as a program in a remote cloud server that is in data communication with each of the thermostats; (ii) as a program in a distinct on-premises hardware device, just as a desktop computer, tablet, or smartphone that is in data communication with each of the thermostats, (iii) as a program on one of the two thermostats themselves, which can have a “master” role to the other thermostat's “slave” role, and/or (iv) as a distributed program that is cooperatively carried out jointly by the two thermostats.

By way of further example, a home or business may have multiple HVAC regions that are connected by ductwork to a single HVAC system, with each region having its own individually controllable damper(s) at the ductwork vent(s) that lead into that region. Each of these regions could have its own distinct, unitary thermostat that governs its respective vent damper in conjunction with the HVAC system, in which case the monitor program can be implemented in the ways described in the preceding paragraph. Alternatively, instead of a distinct, unitary thermostat in each region, there can just be provided one or more climate sensors in each region that each wirelessly communicate with a central thermostat unit, which is in turn coupled to the HVAC system and which wirelessly controls the damper(s) for each region. The set point temperatures for the respective regions can be uniform as fixed by input to the central thermostat unit, or alternatively can be individually adjustable by input to the central thermostat unit such as by wirelessly connected set point temperature input devices located in each respective region. For this scenario, each of the regions is effectively under its own independent thermostatic control and therefore can benefit from various versions of coordinated monitoring and control according to one or more of the presently described methods. For this scenario, the monitor program can be implemented as (i) a program in a remote cloud server that is in data communication with the central thermostat unit, (ii) as a program in a distinct on-premises hardware device, just as a desktop computer, tablet, or smartphone that is in data communication with the central thermostat unit, and/or (iii) as a program on the central thermostat unit.

It is to be appreciated that the previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present disclosure. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A thermostat comprising: a thermostat housing; a user interface including an electronic display and one or more input devices; one or more temperature sensors for determining an ambient air temperature in an area surrounding the thermostat; one or more processors disposed within the thermostat housing and coupled to the user interface, the one or more processors being in operative communication with the one or more temperature sensors, in operative communication with the one or more input devices of the user interface for determining a setpoint temperature value, and in still further operative communication with a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system to control the HVAC system based at least in part on a comparison of the ambient air temperature measured by the one or more temperature sensors and the setpoint temperature value; one or more electronic memories; a control program stored within the one or more electronic memories and executed by the one or more processors that controls operation of the HVAC system by: receiving settings-adjustment messages from a monitor when the monitor detects an onset of a resonant HVAC cycling frequency that includes an HVAC cycle time change due at least in part to thermal communication between regions associated with the thermostat and at least one other collocated thermostat; and adjusting a thermostat setting as directed by the settings-adjustment messages in order to disrupt the resonant HVAC cycling frequency in a multi-region building or other multi-region environment.
 2. The thermostat of claim 1 wherein each of the settings-adjustment messages indicates a change in one or more thermostat settings.
 3. The thermostat of claim 2 wherein the one or more thermostat settings, adjustment of which are specified in settings-adjustment messages, include: an HVAC-cycle-delay parameter that indicates a time delay between determination to initiate a new HVAC cycle, by the thermostat, and initiation of the new HVAC cycle; a swing parameter that specifies a range of temperatures within which new HVAC cycles are not initiated; and a parameter that controls whether or not the thermostat seeks permission from the monitor prior to initiating a new HVAC cycle.
 4. The thermostat of claim 3 wherein, when the parameter that controls whether or not the thermostat seeks permission from the monitor prior to initiating a new HVAC cycle is set to indicate that the thermostat seeks permission from the monitor prior to initiating a new HVAC cycle, the thermostat, after determining to initiate a new HVAC cycle, sends a message to the monitor to request permission to initiate the new HVAC cycle and initiates the new HVAC cycle when the monitor responds to the message sent by the thermostat.
 5. The thermostat of claim 3 wherein the HVAC-cycle-delay parameter is a fine-grain adjustment that is adjusted most frequently by the monitor; wherein the swing parameter is a coarser-grain adjustment than the HVAC-cycle-delay parameter, and is adjusted less frequently than the HVAC-cycle-delay parameter; and wherein the parameter that controls whether or not the thermostat seeks permission from the monitor prior to initiating a new HVAC cycle is a coarsest-grain adjustment that is adjusted least frequently by the monitor.
 6. The thermostat of claim 1 wherein the monitor is remote from the thermostat and the settings-adjustment messages are sent by wired or wireless communications from the monitor to the thermostat.
 7. The thermostat of claim 1 wherein the monitor is local with respect to the thermostat and the settings-adjustment messages are shared-memory messages or direct settings adjustments by the monitor to locally stored settings.
 8. The thermostat of claim 1, further comprising: one or more temperature sensors for measuring an ambient temperature in a building or environment, wherein the control program controls operation of the HVAC unit using at least a setpoint temperature and the ambient temperature as measured by the one or more temperature sensors.
 9. A system comprising: one or more processors; one or more electronic memories; a monitor program stored within the one or more electronic memories and executed by the one or more processors that: monitors operation of two or more collocated thermostats; detects an onset of a resonant HVAC cycling frequency that includes HVAC cycle time changes due at least in part to thermal communication between regions associated with the two or more collocated thermostats; and upon detecting the onset of the resonant HVAC cycling frequency, sends one or more settings-adjustment messages to at least one of the two or more collocated thermostats; wherein upon receipt of the one or more settings-adjustment messages, the at least one of the two or more collocated thermostats disrupts the resonant HVAC cycling frequency.
 10. The system of claim 9 wherein the monitor program detects the onset of the resonant HVAC cycling frequency by reviewing recent HVAC-cycle initialization data stored in one or more of the one or more electronic memories and determining that a frequency of HVAC-cycle initiation has increased.
 11. The system of claim 9 wherein the monitor program detects the onset of the resonant HVAC cycling frequency by comparing recent HVAC-cycle initialization data stored in one or more of the one or more electronic memories with historical data collected under similar environmental conditions and determining that the recent HVAC-cycle initialization data contains a different pattern of HVAC-cycle initialization than contained in the historical data.
 12. The system of claim 9 wherein the monitor program detects the onset of the resonant HVAC cycling frequency by reviewing recent HVAC-cycle data stored in one or more of the one or more electronic memories and determining that lengths of HVAC cycles are increasing or decreasing.
 13. The system of claim 9 wherein the monitor program detects an onset of the resonant HVAC cycling frequency by comparing recent HVAC-cycle data stored in one or more of the one or more electronic memories with historical data collected under similar environmental conditions and determining that lengths of recent HVAC cycles are different than the lengths of HVAC cycles contained in the historical data.
 14. The system of claim 9 wherein each of the one or more settings-adjustment messages indicates a change in one or more thermostat settings.
 15. The system of claim 14 wherein thermostat settings, adjustment of which are specified in the one or more settings-adjustment messages, include: an HVAC-cycle-delay parameter that indicates a time delay between determination to initiate a new HVAC cycle, by a settings-adjustment-receiving thermostat, and initiation of the new HVAC cycle; a swing parameter that specifies a range of temperatures within which new HVAC cycles are not initiated; and a parameter that controls whether or not the settings-adjustment-receiving thermostat seeks permission from the monitor program prior to initiating a new HVAC cycle.
 16. The system of claim 15 wherein, when the monitor program has sent the one or more settings-adjustment messages to the at least one of the two or more collocated thermostats, the monitor program responds to messages from the two or more collocated thermostats so that only a single one of the two or more collocated thermostats initiates an HVAC cycle at any given point in time during monitor program control of HVAC-cycle initiation.
 17. The system of claim 15 wherein, when the monitor program has sent the one or more settings-adjustment messages to the at least one of the two or more collocated thermostats, the monitor program responds to messages from the two or more collocated thermostats so that only a single one of the two or more collocated thermostats initiates and completes an HVAC cycle at any given point in time during monitor control of HVAC-cycle initiation.
 18. The system of claim 15 wherein, when the monitor program has sent the one or more settings-adjustment messages to the at least one of the two or more collocated thermostats, the monitor program responds to messages from the two or more collocated thermostats so that a frequency of HVAC-cycle initiation is decreased, over time.
 19. The system of claim 15 wherein, when the monitor program has sent the one or more settings-adjustment messages to the at least one of the two or more collocated thermostats, the monitor program responds to messages from the two or more collocated thermostats so that lengths of HVAC cycles of at least one HVAC unit are increased, over time.
 20. The system of claim 15 wherein, when the monitor program has sent the one or more settings-adjustment messages to the at least one of the two or more collocated thermostats, the monitor program responds to messages from the two or more collocated thermostats so that lengths of HVAC cycles of at least one HVAC unit are decreased, over time.
 21. The system of claim 9 wherein the monitor program is remote from the two or more collocated thermostats and the one or more settings-adjustment messages are sent by wired or wireless communications from the monitor program to the at least one of the two or more collocated thermostats.
 22. The system of claim 9 wherein the monitor program is local with respect to the at least one of the two or more collocated thermostats, and the one or more settings-adjustment messages are shared-memory messages or direct settings adjustments by the monitor program to locally stored settings within the at least one of the two or more collocated thermostats local to the monitor program. 